PRESIDENT'S LETTER.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 227, 18 May 1914, Page 14

PRESIDENT'S LETTER.

Dear White Ribbon Sisters — I am considerably surprised to find that in spite of the decision of last Convention NOT to advocate any system of Bible Teaching in Schools, resolutions in favour of the League arc being persistently sent to various branches of our Union for discussion. 1 do not know from whom they eminate, but it certainly is a grossly un fair action. Will all Unions please note, that though, individually, they may support any system of Bible l eac hing in Schools, they should NOT pass resolutions sent by any outside body, unless advised by Convention or the Exec utive so to do. The W.C.T.U is definitely organised for the aboii tion of the* Liquor Traffic, all other departments are but side issues. Last year several Unions sent no report to the* Corr. Secretary, no Capitation Fee to Treasurer, in fact did nothing but pass a resolution in favour of the Bible in Schools, and sent it to the League Executive. Such an action is disloyal to their own organisation. A generation of Bible in Schools teaching in New South Wales has not banished the Liquor Traffic or minimised its evil effects. We have already commenced the biggest fight ever yet fought in New Zealand against the Trade, and we cannot afford tc spend time over a side issue at the expense of National Prohibition. Let us waste no more time over the Bible in Schools. As a Union we have settled the question amiably; now let us bend all our energies, unite our prayers, and put all our work on the "Bare Majority” and “Prohibition” for the Dominion. With loving greetings to all, RACHEL DON, Dominion President. Convention decided by a large majority not to discuss the method of Bible teaching to be introduced into the schools, but to leave each member free to support which system they preferred. After this decision, we must refuse to open our columns for any such discussion. Two letters were published last month. One was by the Superintendent of Bible in Schools department, and Convention instructed the Editor to allow eac h Superintendent of Department to use the columns of “White Ribbon” to communicate with Unions. Therefore, Superintendents’ letters are published by order of Convention, and are not on the footing of ordinary cor-

respondence. Miss Hodgkinson’s letter was published because she was entitled to correct the statement which credited her with supporting th*' resolution in favour of the League passed by Invert argiM Convention. We make this explanation, as we have received several letters upon the subject, some advocating one system, and some another. We believe it to be in accord with the wish of Convention to refuse to discuss the question of method at all.