RELIGION IN POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7930, 22 July 1887, Page 3

RELIGION IN POLITICS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sm, — Your correspondent " Locliaber " is evidently wroth at the beating _of the |' drum ecclesiastic" in the present election conflict. This opens up the question : Is an ecclesiastic justified in using his power in favour of any political party ? I maintain that he is undoubtedly justified, so long as he confines his influence to direction in matters of religious principle. Now, in Bast Dunediu at the present time the question of roligious principle seeuia lv cuuit: iv. There are two candidates for the representation of the people of Bast Dunedin: one a notorious supporter of the Freethought movement, which has already done so much to remove the only effectual restraint upon the passions of young men, and who is further opposed to the reading of God's revealed Word to our children, even without note or comment thereby, surely proving his own opinion of its power against the Freethought movement; the other candidate professes the religion of his fathers, and is ready to vote for the admission of God's Word into our schools. Surely if an ecclesiastic believes that religious principle is involved in the present election, he must, if an honest and true man, have the cour- ; age of his opinions aud speak out clearly, whether bis people wish it or not. It seems to me, c.l one acquainted with the state of feeling in Dunedin East, that the electors generally have formed and mean to act upon this ground only. Taxation is at present far too heavy, and the country can without doubt be governed better with fewer Ministers and a smaller civil service.

It is proposed by Sir Robert Stout to increase our taxation, and we are sure that he will not reduce the civil service. So much as we like him personally, we will not elect him.—l am, July 21. ■ Basil Hughes.