THE IRISH EVANGELIST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12242, 16 June 1909, Page 8

THE IRISH EVANGELIST.

HIS OPINION OF NEW ZEALAND

Th« Rev J. Laird, who is at p- esent conducting an evangelistic mission in the Baptist Church, Ingestre Street, was interviewed by a "Chronicle" representative. • ■• . .

What is your cpinion of New Zealand?

"I am very pleased with all I have seen here in New Zealand," replied Mr Laird. "The social condition of the people is far better than in -the Old Country. In Ireland, the land 1 left behind, we have not Home__Rire as you have here. Before I left the Emerald Isle 1 was getting convinced, with many other Protestants, that the Irish people ought to have a form of selfgovernment. And what I have seen here <»onfirms me in my opinion that Ireland ought to have Home Rule. The women's franchise, which obtains here, h quite new to me. I think ifc is tho right thing; for New Zealand. The women of this land of the Maori are quite capable of exercising the franchise. I knew before Lleft home that this Was a new country and I expocted to find bad roads and the* country still in a very undeveloped state. From what I have seen this is not so. : No-Hcense is also a new thing to me and the people are thoroughly in earnest about the question; f rom*Vhat I saw in the test election. No-liceme wruld not be dreamt of in the British Isles, where drink is such a tremendous,curse, leading tho Chancellor, of the Exchequer to say emphatically that the nation must deal with the drink question or it will ruin the- nation.'- , ; .

Whon asked about the churches, MrLaird said "I anr nob in a position: to speak very decidedly of the churches here,., but I have noticed much zeal and enthusiasm and a high spiritual tone in some of the churches I have come in contact with, especially in fore:gn missionary enterprise. For instance, tho Baptist denomination pave, last year £1900 for work in - India apart from home mission work."

Asked about Bibles; in\ schools, Mr Laird said "In Ireland wo have clc--nominational schools and rel'gious Instruction is given*in■ almost all; the schools by the denomination. _/. For iiistanee, rin Raphoe there aro .three schools— Presbyterian; Anglican, and Reman \Catlwmc—under the. complete control of their respective denominations. I notice Bible lessons are. being given in a nuniberof towns in New Zealand and that others are applying for-the1-same: privilege. \" ' ;r :"_■_.. ,:'_' In answer "to.a question about the5' Dreadnought", Mr Laird'said: "ram an Orangenian and an upholder; pf the dignity of- Britain, And I believe that" New Zealand is under.a great obligation to the Mother.Counti-y for the security she enjoys,- which af^ne depends upon the strength of the Imperial navy. The motto ,<*f the ; ...old,_ Romany -If you wish jfor peace prepare for: war, is a good one, arid it is evident that that is what Britain, is doing ift the \reseut case-." ' .