PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16820, 27 May 1919, Page 11

PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. . (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26 The Annual Council, of the Protestant Political Association concluded itb sittings. The discussion of remits was resumed, and the executive was instructed to draw up a political platform. The powers of the dominion executive were enlarged, and the work of organisation, both, financial and political, was ordered to be expedited and cornleted. A generous response was made by representatives of the various divisions financially, and a, most optimistic tons prevailed. Regarding the suppression of the religion of convicted persons, the following motion was passed:—"That this Council direct the attention of the Government to the suppression of the religion. of convicted persons from the Official Year Book, thereby (removing from the people valuable proof of the superioritv of value of the State system of education as against denominational education, and oallis upon the Government to have these statistics reinstated, as their removal is without the authority of Parliament and against the interests of tjhe people." The Council affirmed the urgent desirability of establishing State orphanage-'. Another resolution adopted was as follows:—"That this Council unites with Protestants of the Empire in protesting against the presence of an envoy of the British Government at the Vatican, as being unconstitutional and an insult to loyal Protestants of every dominion, and that the executive communicate with Protestant organisations throughout the Enrpire with a. view to strong united protest." A further resolution was passed condemning the action of the MinisteT of Customs and the Attorney-General in prohibiting tihle importation of certain Protestant literature. On the subject of national education the following resolutions were passed : —"That this Council, affirming its appreciation of and devotion to the present system of free, compulsory, undenominational education, calls upon the Government to safeguard its schools by providing that concessions already made to sectarian schools be withdrawn, and no further concessions made, and that the Government support the national syste-ri of education bv providing for pupils of State schools a fair wonortion of Civil Service npnointments." "That an adecma-te vote Cfive mi 1 lions) be -provided for development of the education system upon modern lines, to enable nironer provision to be made' for the children, and adequate i-emunpration to tenchors in keen-in"-with the value and dignity of their calling."