PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8878, 12 November 1907, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

CRUSADE AGAINST THE TOTALISATOR. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 11. The Presbyterian Assembly, today, resolved that while thankful for the Anti-Gambling Bill introduced by the Government, and trusting it may become law this session, the Assembly trusts it will be amended so as to prevent the publication of totalisator odds in accordance with the Premier's own definitely expressed intentions, and also the elimination of the clause giving racing clubs power to license bookmakers. The Assembly further expresses its ineradicable conviction that in the interests of the moral and social well-being of the community the totalisator shotild be absolutely abolished.

A copy of the resolution is to be sent to the Premier.

The annual report on temperance that steady and well-directed efforts had been made in a quiet way all over the dominion by ministers. The Total Abstinence Association had 195 members, an increase of eleven. There were still quite a number of minister? who had not joined.

' The Bible-in-Schools Committee's report stated that advantage was being taken of what is known as the "Nelson system," to give religious instruction in State schools. The aggregate attendance of scholars is about 9,500; The report on the Maori missions showed continued success in the work of evangelising the native race. The report on the proposed amalgamation of the beneficiary funds in the northern and southern sections of the church was ordered to be laid on the table till next year, a committee of ten business men to go into the matter in the meantime and draw up a scheme of amalgamation. The report of the training of home missionaries stated that nineteen had presented themselves for examination and all save one had passed. The committee reported against the decision of the last Assembly by which the second stage of studies was abolished. After some discussion this matter was referred back to the committee on the training of home missionaries to revise the past regulations in regard to home missionaries, send them down to the Presbyteries, and mature a scheme for the next Assembly.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.