CHURCH ORPHANAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16455, 17 June 1921, Page 6

CHURCH ORPHANAGES.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL NOT WANTED. [Per Press Association,! WELLINGTON, Jun 17. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church Orphanage Association, the Rev Mr Gibb referied to the recent hint, of some interference with church orphanages. “If they do this,” he said, “they will have a hornet’s nest about them. They will have on the platform against them a Roman Catholic archbishop, an Anglican bishop, representatives of the Presbyterian Church, representatives of the Methodists and Salvation Army. Separated from one another, we sometimes think that we are weak in not presenting a sufficiently strong front to the foe, hut if we stand together I do not know of any Ministry that will stand against us.” Mr Gibb said that they welcomed any test the Government liked to impose, and invited the closest inspection night or day. Speaking of Presbyterian orphanages, lie knew that they compared more than favourably with the handiwork of the Government, though he could say the same of all Church institutions. Continuing, he said: 11 I think we may say to the Government, ‘ Hands off; we have taken up this work,’ ”