WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE d'srmoTiroa."J SIR,—The Welsh Church Bill will soon be dealt with in Com- mittee, and the outcome depends upon the spirit in which the parties interested meet each other. It is a foregone conclusion that there will be disendowment, but there is a difference of opinion as to the degree. Some Nonconformists want to take away all the endowments except those given by private indi- viduals in modern times, and some Churchpeople declare that they will not surrender one penny. Neither of these parties will have much influence in the final settlement. There can be no doubt that a large proportion, if not an overwhelming majority, of the people in Wales are in favour of generous terms for the Church. The Government has already made concessions, and further concessions will no doubt depend largely upon the way in which they are met. There is a growing feeling that at least a portion of the endowments should be given to the Churches, to be used in the way they think best. Unfortunately a large proportion of the better- paid Nonconformist ministers and well-to-do laymen are opposed to this, but the poorer Churches, which are doing admirable work at considerable sacrifice, willingly borne, would not reject an offer if it were made to them. Mr. Lloyd George said at Carnarvon that he is not in favour of concur- rent endowment. But he seems to have a high opinion of the ancient monasteries. Cannot some scheme bo devised by which the endowments may be used on the monastic lines ? Is this not the best solution of the problem ?—I am, Sir, &o., 4 Castle Terrace, Aberystwyth. Joins MORGAN.
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