CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11948, 24 April 1902, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS, ./n inn BDI TOR. .-, Sir,—Oil Monday evening next the.householders ot Now Zealand will meet for the election of school committees and the transaction of othci educational business. It has occurred to some friend,-? of the Bible in schools movement that the opportunity should bo seized to advance our cause a Btrfge furthei. We do not propose that resolutions should be submitted dealing with the main question, for the manifest reason that the Joint Committee of the Churches has -not yet formally published its recommendations. What we do respectfully and earnestly suggest is that at every meeting of householders the following resolution should be passod :—" That with a view to the settlement of a long-standing problem, and in. accordance with sound democratic principles, this meeting of householders calls upon the Government tc take a plebiscite on tho subject ot Bible-rending in schools. Should the voting he in favour of the proposal, it will -in the opinion of this meeting be the duty of the Government to give immediate effect tr. the will of the people." It may be urged that the Government has up till now shown no sympathy with this movement, but this can be easily accounted for by the want of the proper pressure. The hydrostatic paradox has no equivalent in politics. ; What is needed is a resolution such as the above passed in hundreds and thousands of meetings, forwarded to the respective members, and to the Acting-Premier, and by dint of accumulated energy the inertia will be overcome. Wo must and ought to convince the. powers that ho that we are in earliest, on the matter. Wo must ply the .democratic principle steadily and wisely and even the hottest Radical will be unable to dpWe us. May 1 „ r0 (lpoll all Christian people to attend the meetings in then respective districts, and" may I further bespeak the aid of your powerful pen for this work? Thanking you for your valuable space.- am, etc., 11. KttlT. Knox Church Manse, Pafnell, April 22, 1902. PROHIBITION IN MANITOBA. TO Tilt; EDITOR. Sir —When I saw the telegram static that prohibition in Manitoba had been carried by a majority of 5000 I was somewhat surprised. My reason for being so was that the latest advice stated that the prohibitionists At mass meetings had decided to abstain from voting. Tina may possibly surprise some of your readers, and will require some explanation. Within the last two years or so the Conservative party went, to the polls, having Statu prohibition M one of the plunks in their political platform. They were returned. The .Government redeemed their promise, initiating the necessary legislation, which was carried, and became law. The llnuoi party then appealed to tho law courts, principally on the ground that it was incompetent: for a State in pass such a law, the Dominion in their opinion being the proper authority. The case went from the lower Courts ultimately to tho Court of Appeal in England, whose verdict established the legality of the State's action. Naturally, it would bo expected that the law would go into force, but the Government, to the surprise of most, decided to first submit the question (which was practically as to whether they should discharge the functions of Government) to a referendum. To this the prohibitionists objected, deeming the proceedings unconstitutional, and declined to take any part, but, instead, proposed legal action to compel the Government to discharge their duty. It will bo seen that, the public had already endorsed prohibition, so that the inference that prohibition had been repealed is incorrect. The incoming mail Will no doubt bring full particulars of tho situation. Meantime it i«. another proof of the correctness of tho statement that law find justice aro soluble in alcohol."— am, etc., - 11. FbßHoh. April 23. Till', MOUNT EDEN ROAD BOARD. TO the HOtTftfc. Sir, —The Mount Kden Road Board are once again distinguishing themselves by failing to give timely notice ot the places appointed for polling at the forthcoming election on Mac 3. As a ratepayer lam anxiously waiting to hear what they propose doing in this matter, and I should also like to know whether they intend prewiring a fresh roll before the day of the election. am, etc., SICT-OV-TIIK-ROAHU. Auckland, April 23, 1902.