THE REV. DR. BEVAN.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10270, 13 February 1899, Page 6

THE REV. DR. BEVAN.

o •- AN INTERVIEW. The Rev. Dr. Bevan, who, with Mrs Bevan, arrived in Christchurch frccn Dunedin on Saturday night, accorded an interview yesterday to a representative of this journal, in the course of which several subjects of some public interest were touched upon. FEDERATION. In answer to a question relating to Federation, Dr. Bevan said that when he left Vie- j toria the Premiers were about to meet to consider the proposals made by New South Wales, but he knew no more of the results j than had appeared in the cable messages. He believed there was a fair prospect of Federation coining about. As far as lie could read the results of the Premiers' interviews, a compromise had been made with Mr Reid, and on the other hand he had conceded some points. The doctor trusted the result would be satisfactory to the different Parliaments, and would be unanimously affirmed by the people throughout the whole of Australasia. There was the greater likelihood of this coming about because the contrast- between the condition of New South Wales and Victoria had changed much within the last year. Victoria was rapidly recovering from her depression, having a substantial surplus, while New South Wales was finding herself in considerable difficulty, with a far less promising liarvest than Victoria had enjoyed. Consequently the mutual arrangements were being made on far more equal conditions than when Federation was considered some two years ago. There was a thoroughly federal spirit throughout the colonies. There wero signs cf national unity, and the conditions now were favourable for the bringing about of Federation. Jf_it failed, it would have to come about in the way some would have preferred it originally, not by any directpolitical act, but by some sort of quiet growth, in the manner in winch federation took piace in certain states of common life. He hoped it would be completely secured now. WOMEN'S FxUNCHISE. Concerning female franchise, which was the next subject introduced, Dr. Bevan alluded to the fat 2of the Franchise .bill after a very trivial debate in the Council, and said that after its rejection he accompanied to the Premier a deputation iro-m the •■ omen's Franchise League. The doctor said the debate in the Councu showed that th-3 question had passed beyond the region of debate, and that the Council was simply blocking it because it had the power to do so. He ■was told he had not treated the Council wii-u proper respect, and was subjected to a lecture. At the same time the Premier promised to bring in the Bill again, and make it a Government measure, and there was not the slightest doubt Victoria would soon have the women's franclu.se. It was working well in South Australia, and had not produced any revolution there any more than it had in New Zealand. It would, probably have ths effect of quickening legislation in the direction mors urgently required for women. There was nothing in the conduct of political meetings, or the scenes at the ballot, which made the franchise unsuitable for women. As far as he had seen of political assemblies, the assemblies outside Parliament, tliat met for the discussion of subjects, and the gathering of persons for recording their voters, were better conducted that a greiit many of the Parliamentary bodies themselves. The only point that couJd affect woman \v.v> that it they ever got seats the Chambers of Legislation, their good manners might be lost. This was only a part of the serious question to them in Victoria of the way in which present day Parliaments were bringing Parliamentary Government into disrepute by tho waste of time, and the spreading out of work, and in not doing work which ought to be done. However, in Victoria they wore free from the interference of the politician, the whole service depending on examinations .and merit. New Zealand, he understood, had not quite arrived at that condition, and charges were brought against the purity of. administration, but of course he was only a learner. It would be a sad. thing if the condition of the Civil Service of America were repeated in the colonies. EDUCATION. Questioned on the subject of the Bible in schools, he said that under the present system there was a limitation of the freedom of the school teacher, which was needless. With a conscience clause giving the teacher perfect freedom, it would be impossible for the teacher to join in voluntary work in the way of religious education. There wa3 a strong objection to the instruction having to be given out of school hours. It made it look as though the children who received the instruction were being punished. There was a temper just now of sympathy, with a move for alterations in both respects. The Bible in Schools League was receiving the support of the Churches very largely. The ecclesiastical, or official, side of the Churches, with the exception of the Congregational bodies, had been in favour of the Bible in Schools League, which wished to have Bible lessons, or something like the Irish lessons introduced. While some of their members agreed with, this, the Congregational Union itself had voted against it. His objection was that if the League secured its purpose, it would remove from the Churches that sense of obligation which they certainly new felt, and would result in the instruction! becoming perfunctory. If the Churches would really unite, it might be properly done. But they could not be persuaded to give up the pursuit of what was certainly an ignis fituus, in the shape of these supposed Bible lessons. Another serious aspect of the question presented itself. The Roman Catholics established their own schools, and liad done excellent work. If the Protestant conscience were satisfied by the introduction of the Bible lessons, then in all justice and equity the Catholic conscience should also be satisfied, which would of course amount to denominationalism. The League had received promises of support from a large number of members of Parliament; but the promises were hardly worth much, because the difficulty was to frame a measure which would be acceptable to all, and many members gave their promises in the hope that nothing might be done. They would be much bothered when it came to the practical question of voting. , . The Rev. Dr. Bevan preached three times yesterday to large congregations, in the morjiing and evening at the Trinity Congregational Church, and in the afternoon at the Choral Hall. His first sermon was from Ezekiel i., 1, setting forth the symbolism of this chapter as a manifestation of the characteristics of the universe. In the afternoon his text was taken from Matthew xvi., 25, and in the course of his address he adduced argument and illustration to prove that ma.: vwc better to lose the world and gain his own soul than to do the reverse. His evening sermon was from St. John i., 50, and treated with the reality of Christianity, divesting it of the supernatural and showing tliat now the evidence fw accepting ite claims were stronger than they were when the Lord was upon earth. Offertories were taken up in aid of the Pastors' Provident Fund.