LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15174, 13 December 1912, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE PARNELL POLL. i# •$$ Sir, —As a feport is being circulated that i the brewers and hofcelkeepors took an active parkin the recent poll in favour of Parnell r; joining the ctiy, I am willing to donate £20 v to 'tho Auckland Hospital if any person can ' ' , prove such to bo the ease. ' . *I ' ; ■ ■' F. TOMUlksok, •! M Exchange Hotel, P&rnell. • X'WS ■ —"*■ 1 " ■■ «>wii.i. ■■■ THE FLOWER SHOW. 1 y | l Sir,— I suggest to the committee, ct -,J the Horticultural Society that they should . have someone in charge during their shows ? to look after the exhibits, arm tako charge | , of any articles it;-may be necessary for wi ?■:; exhibitor to. leave in the hall. I know of many complaints Hof goods missing during -V,." the last show at the Town Hall, which, haa j their been a caretker present, would ndi / t ' have happened. There is a caretaker, bat & his services are dispensed with directly the • show opens, on the grounds .of economy. hope to see better arrangements at future , shows. An Exhibito*.,,' > VESTMENTS AND ALTAR LIGHTS ;'., Sir, —It is to be regretted that the Lay* ' men's League of the- Anglican' Church is not' at present in active operation. The league, of which I am a member, was establish** ■■ to preserve tho purity of tho form of worship C' ' as sanctioned by the Book of Common : . Prayer, and also to resist moat strenuously all ritualistic innovations. As most of your ' readers are aware, the loaders of the league decided, on the advent of the present Bishop, ; to suspend operations so as to allow His ' , t ; Lordship a free hand to organise the workit ': : v< of his diocese. If the league were now in ; active operation it would be able to render assistance to those who object :to the unwarranted and illegal so-called reforms now ' ' | in vogue at St. Paul's. Unfortunately, in » former dispute regarding the prooessional y cross, the vestry allowed the vicar to hat* ' his way. Apparent tho vestry overlooked s tho fact that by giving way on one point -!\j they would ultimately have to do so all alone | the line. This they now realise by bitter experience. But it is not too late vet to | make a determined stand. To m© it seems ■£ monstrous to supposo that in a democratic country like New Zealand one man should over-ride the wishes of the majority. The | most obvious course is to organise a monster deputation to lay the whole dispute 'before | the Bishop, who as a moderate man, and J zealous to promote the welfare of his diocese, ;.;:j will, I have no doubt, comply with the reasonable request of loyal churchmen. I ; notice that the vicar intends to make an ;i announcement from the pulpit on Sunday - evening, December 15. It is to be regretted , | that he is not making his announcement at a ,] -g public meeting, where all dissentients would ,> have the privilege of replying. I earnestly \ urge tho parishioners of St. Paul's ,to use t/every lawful means to resist this attempt to impose priestcraft upon them. Remember ■ that the steadfast policy of ritualistic priests j is to deprive the laity of all power in church , government. I would also ask the parishionera to remember t;hafc the present changes .v.. are only a part of the programme. Another : -. instalment, will soon be forthcoming in the if\< use of wafers instead of broad, and possibly »•; Jj confession and the use of incense. I trust • ;,j the laity will prove equal to the occasion, f and will once for all show that they are > •;?< the predominating power in church govern- (jM| ment. LOTAL CHPaOHMAJf. •,•: QM