MR. A. R. ATKINSON V. BIBLEIN-SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 5

MR. A. R. ATKINSON V. BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Sir, —The prodigious hasto with which the anti-Bible-in-Schools brigade was summoned after the Bible-in-Schools Leaguo waited upon the Premier with a force of 110,000 backers proves that Mr. Atkinson, after his sorry boast of being invulnerable to Canons and a cannonade, has been laid flat by a bombshell well directed at the centre of his army. Tho traditional Atkinsonian top-boots will bo worn out before the strange combination of freethinkers, atheists, oppononts of tho Bible, and supporters of the Nelson system can he organised for effective warfare. These opponents of tho Bible brought about tho present secular system of education, and are now placing the supporters of the Nelson system in the front rank as a shield for their weakness. Mr. Atkinson lias doubtless been appointed leader for his all-round qualifications. Most of thoso forming the combination which ho leads are indifferent as to whether tho children are taught the Biblo or not, so long as they can perpetuato tho present evil system; and! tho attempt to slimv that the Bible-in-Schools movement is only a clorical one will fail, because it is tho parents in New Zealand who mean to have tho referendum to decido this most imi>ortant matter. Mr. Atkinson's intemperate attitude from the start has led up to what he describes as tho "bitter and uuchris-! tian" feelings (blessed adjectives) which have been aroused. Ho selects a phrase, "Trust the people," and very offensivo terms in connection with it, and then follows this up by trying to

ridicule tho clergy, and by ignoring the solid lay support which is behind them. If he thinks that this has not "shocked the public conscience," and disgraced parents generally, he makes a sad mistake. His presumptuous reference to misunderstanding and ignorance on their part is another instance of that reasonable language and spirit of fair-play which is to bo expected from thoso who object to Bible teaching in schools.—l am, etc., J. MARTIN. Martinborough, September 9, 1913.