MR. ATKINSON AND HIS CRITICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1855, 15 September 1913, Page 3

MR. ATKINSON AND HIS CRITICS.

Sir, —With your permission I would like to write a few lines in reference to a letter signed "Thos. M. Milligan" in this morning's Dominion. Perhaps I had better preface what-1 have to write by explaining that. I have taken al>solutely no part in the Bihle-in-Schools controversy, partly because I have strong sympathies with the ideals which actuate men 011 both sides, and have been unabfy, through pressure of other dutie-s. to attend the meeting at which they t have fully stated their cases, partly because I regard thp controversy as 0110 of the most unfortunate ever inflicted upon the community. My knowledge of the history of t-lio moveiftent is not such that I can tell definitely where most blame lies, but I would gladly see the-whole thing buried ten thousand l fathoms deep below tho surface of events. In co'inectidn with the recent encounter Mr. Atkinson and "his clerical crTtics," I have several times felt a desire to say something in deprecation of the sorry recognition of Mr. Atkinson's high repute, but I felt —no doubt liiko most of his friends —that ho Was much better able to handle the situation effectively .for himself. His friends look upon Mr. Atkinson as a man .ratHior to be lielped by than to help. Most willingly do I now put it on record (if Mr. Atkinson will forgive 1110 for thinking the MiJligan letter sufficient reason for doing so) tfliat in tho past five vears I havo learned to regard Mr. Atlcinson as a great bulwark of strength to the public life of this city and this country, and I havo also learned'that 110 is so regarded by a great ■ many people whoso opinion is worth taking. Especially do we look upon him as an apostle of the truth and an unsurpassed exponent of "straightgoing," a man of fearless courage in tho cause of truth, and —it seems liko an insult to have to write it—a man of unblemished honour. —I am, etc., D. It. PICKEN. Wellington, September 11, 1913. Sir, —No one, I think, doubts Mr. Atkinson's good intentions, but is ho not overdoing his part in his controversy with his clerical critics? They may bo quito as black as ho paints them, though 1 much doubt that the public will agrco with him on tho point, but is ho so whito and blameless as ho paints himself ? I think not. Not that 1. would suggest for ono mo-, ment anything derogatory in his personal honour, or anything of that nature', but there is in his letters such aggressive evidence of tho high appreciation in which .he holds himself and his own virtues, that ono doubts tho valuo of his sonso of proportion. Tho actual merits of his argument with tho Bible-in-Scliools League I do not propose to enter into, but it must have been plain to the dullest intelligence that Mr. Atkinson's later letters aro directed at individuals, and not at the justico of their cause. However just or unjust his resentment may bo of tlio view taken of his reported utterance, ho surely must see that the tonb and substance of' his own letters and speeches do him little credit in so far as they touch on this • episode, and. must indeed offend tlio susceptibilities, of many who hold tho same views as. himself, on tho question of Bible-read-ing in schools'. The causo is not likely to bo advanced by such methods of controversy.—l am, etc., F. CO AD.