THE TIMES ON THE SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10956, 10 November 1897, Page 4

THE TIMES ON THE SYNOD.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sik, —Will you allow me to point out certain inaccuracies in your leader of Saturday last ? Speaking of the question of union you say: "The only real obstacle in the way . . . has already been removed." This is not by any means correct. The difference on the marriage question was not the oraly real obstacle. A more serious obstacle with many of us has all along been the proposed exclusion of the Synod of Otago and Southland from the government aud constitution of the United Church. You are, I ■ suppose, quite correct in • I saying that the discussion elicited nothing new. Yet the voting has elicited this : that while in ttc crucial division last year the numbers were 77 against 26, in the same division this year they were 50 against 40 (see Daily Times of 30th October)—not as you put it, 83 to 47. The question iti the division to which you-refer was quite different. Allow me to add" that it will require something more than "mere provincial sentiment" and the influence of "characteristic stubbornness" to account for the vote on that crucial question chauging from 3to 1 last year to sto 4- this year. I expectthat when next the vote is taken on the same question the majority will be on the other fide, and then there will be some reasonable hope of union bsing accomplished.—l am, &c, Waitati, Nov. 8. Alex. M. Finmyson.