14 JUNE 1913, Page 3

The Dean of Lincoln, Dr. Fry, lately sent to the

Daily Chronicle a summary of his grounds for opposing the Welsh Church Bill, which is so good that we desire to put at any rate a portion of it before our readers. He tells us that he is against the present Bill-

" (1) Because, to my mind, it is dealing perversely with a trust, contrary to our established principles. (2) Because it secularises, improperly and needlessly, funds now used for a religious purpose. (3) Because it is a contemptible policy to impoverish a hard- working bcdy—commended by the leading impartial Liberal leaders—and make a contribution out of its money to rates or taxes (for that is what will happen). (4) Because the bitterness and avowed reluctance to be kind, expressed all along, and still by the Welsh M.P.'s, is offensive to every instinct of charity. (5) Because Mr. McKenna's history would put him at the bottom of any good sixth form. (6) Because the Welsh Church is as much—if not more—the Church of the poor as the Nonconformist bodies. (7) Because I believe (on evidence) that if apart from the Welsh M.P.'s whose seats are at stake, and the Irish, whose aim is special, a secret ballot could be taken of the Liberal Party in Parliament (including the Ministry), there would be a majority in favour of dropping this Bill."

Here the Dean says he will stop, though he has in fact more iu store as to "curates, commutation, churchyards, England's share,"&c. He thinks that Liberal Churchmen command a con- siderable number of small majority seats, and that dropping the Bill, so far from upsetting the Government, would mean just the reverse. The Dean ends by saying that he does not find the prejudice and ignorance in the Englishman that is found by the Daily Chronicle. "He listens and learns ; and I think to accuse us, who are as conscientious as others, of appealing to these motives is not 'playing the game.' " Quite apart from the merits and on motives of self-preservation, the Liberal Party would be wise to listen to the Liberal Dean, but of course they will not.