Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878] TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1892.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4299, 20 December 1892, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878]

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1892.

SKCONDEuiTiON

Being the extendeo hue of the WaIBARAPA DjdlY, WITH WHICH IT 18 IOENTIOAI

We have received a general statement which has been circulated by the English Funeral Reform Association, one nf the many institutions of modern 1 times, which is engaged in tba task of reconciling soienoe with religion and dim versa, In the quiet country places of New Zealand there is lees need for auoh reform than in crowded centres; still it may be worth while to listen to what is eaitl by advanced thinkers on the question. Archdeacon Donne, at a meeting of the Burial Reform Association, held recently, in the Mayor's Parlour, Wakefield, moved a resolution urging upon tbe Government the desirability of the appointment of a Minister o'f Health and the more careful registration of the cause of death in every case, Ho also protested against ei, cessive floral decoration. The Rev, F. Lawrence, Hon, See., preaching in Wakefield Cathedral, contended that the Church was the great national sanitary agenoy, with officers possessed of unique authority and influence in every pariah, and that it was her privilege to spread a knowledge of the laws of health and by personal effort to promote the application thereof, especially in securing pure air and pure water for all, healthy housing for the poor, and sanitary surroundings generally. The aims of the Funeral Reform Society are in the direction of economy and Bimplioity, and the disuse of orape and even of excessive flora} decorations Also (bo early interment ot the body in soil suitable for its speedy resolution into 1 ' ultimate elerm-nts- and the use of ooffln material, which will' rapidly decay after burial, are enjoined, ■ ' i These views are muoh in advance of those entertained fifty years ago ,aod ptobkbly fifty jwb beaw»fu>.'

| ther change will be made. From a sanitary and Boieritifio point of view, ortmation is (he mosteflective method of disposing of the dead and the opinion is also held by, many that the severing and setting free of the spirit, ual body from its earthly tenement is partly accomplished, by incineration, However, thatis a problem that belongs more to the future than to the I present, but tbe tendency of mudera funeral reform seems to be gradually! leading up to suoh an ultimatum,