LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2209, 23 July 1914, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

1, BISHOP CLEARY—THEN AND NOW

Sir—Phoro are somo things which aro not permissible oven in the heat of controversy. One of them is to suggest tho.tiling that is not. Both in tho text of your Dunedin correspondence, and in your heading-thereto; the' suggestion is conveyed that "Bishop Clcary's views of a few years ago" on tho purely secular system aro not his views of to-day. Let mo here say that my antagonism of 1909 to tho divorco of religion from school training differs from my antagonism of 1914 only in one respect—it is vastly moro energetic how. Since the beginning of ray active episcopal work, in January, 1911, it has found expression in a far greater variety of ways—in pamphlets, ; sermons, lectures, pastorals, hi / teachertraining, school extension, and in the joyful sacrifice, tim,o and again, of my last coin. In a little over three years, in tho one city of Auckland, my devoted people and I have put £01,000 in land and buildings, into the sacred cause of Christian education. In the samo city, within tho coming week, we aro embarking upon a further expenditure of £8100, in land nud buildings, for the same splendid cause. And our projects for tho near future involve a further expenditure of £19,800. These vast sums (£88,900) represent only one part of a brief protest against a purely secular system, and of our wholesouled and-practical devotion to tho essential union of religiou with cducaAdd to this the considerable sum required for maintenance, etc. Add, in fine, tho most precious item of all— the hundreds of holy lives that, in my one diocese alone, are devoted to the Christian upbringing of Christ's little ones, for tho- dear love of Him and them, without hope or wish of human recompense. For all this, we take no credit. We deem it our bare duty. We will bless the names of tho League organiser, of the Rev. Dr. Gibb, and of the_ other members of tho Leaeuo executive, if they can luro us to still further heights of sacrifice, by moro practical tests of their antagonism to the purely secular system, and of their devotion to the noble cause of Teligious education.

Over and over again, -in-the-Press and on. the platform, I have intimated tho willingness: of. the, Catholic leaders to consider,. any' proposal whatsoever towards a settlement of tho religious difficulty'in education —with only one proviso :■' the recognition of tho equal rights of all interested parties before the law. Over and over again a conference of interested parties has been publicly pressed by me for many years past. But nothing has come of the proposal, despite tho support lately given to the idea by tho Prime Minister. '■ Your Dunedin correspondent telegraphs 'some of my objections of 1909 to the secular system. I have nothing to add to,, or take from them. They wero my opinions then. They are my opinions now. Only— T never mentioned "tho Nelson system" in the words or in the connection stated by .your correspondent. Let us now turn to some of tho numerous graceful compliments bestowed upon the secular system in. a League pamphlet, and by Canon Garland, Rev. Isaac Jolly, Rev.. John Mackenzie .(all members of the League executive), by other'prominent League leaders, by the "Outlook" (tho chief Leaguo organ); etc.: A "pagan" system, a "Godless svstem," "an atheistic system," "a. relic of barbarism,"" "the desolating blight of secularism," giving "liberty" to "atheism" and noiioto Christianity, "degrades morals."-and so on. Years ago a noted Presbvtor'f inn divines-Row Dr. Copland, declared that /the- 'secular- system'•' would'■ pro-' duce in New' Zealand "heathenism and nihilism," : and "national' corruption." I am ready at any time to- furnish -.detailed, references, to these and...many other such, terms of endearment.', I am also prepared to cite, with full detailed references, tho declared determination, expressed in :an official Longuo publication, and .of League loaders an'd organs,. to .work ' "detriment" to, and even "wreck," the ''national system," by starting a rival system of denominational school's —?f Parliament refuses to dance to their tune, and thereby brings upon itself the mandate to "depart" to tho place where* tho worm dioth not. The Rev. Dr. Gibb and the other "wreckers" will probably soon ho afforded an onportunity of beginning to do in 1915 what their fewer and poorer Catholic fellow-citizens have been doing in Auckland, arid throughout tho whole Dominion, since 1877.—1 am, etc., ' ' HENRY W. CLEARY, Bishop of Auckland. ■ July 14. .■ . • . .

NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCES,

■ Sir,—Now Zealand's adviser, Captain Thompson, lias arrived, so that there Should bo.no longer any reason for delaying a programme of naval defence, which will'protect our coastal cities, and at the sariie timo build., up a'basis for the naval ships, and the merchant fleet which must in war time havo permanent and safe rendezvous., To begin with, the Government will no doubt seo lit to give our naval adviser every possible facility for thoroughly inspecting our seaport towns, so that ho may bo ma position to advise tho suresti means for protecting them.

There arc also the harbour land defences, already reported upon. Tako three in "the northern city 'as an instance. The Naval Advisor may back up Lord Kitchener's and other opinions, and insist that a fortification with heavy long-range guns of the latest pattern be placed on Rangitoto, from which an enemy's ship can be shelled, experts having warned us that the Auckland forts are unable to cover the approach of war vessels from their present positions. A thorough knowledge is essential, as the safety and security of our island home (unless Sir Joseph Ward's scheme could be carriod, and a larger fleet 'than that of Japan and China bo secured in tho Pacific) depends upon our ports being secured against successful attacks and shipping basis afforded for shelter, docking,' re-fitting, protection, or for naval basis.

That tho Naval Adviser will require backbone and a strong personality goes without saying. The seaport_ towns defence must bo largely submarine destroyers and torpedo boat oraft. This, latterly, has been acknowledged by leadiiig admirals, who aro well acquainted with tho stations. Tho naval policy alone can save Now Zealand, and although efficient military training is excellent, in its way, thero aro numbers in New Zealand who hold that tho- £500,000 spent annually on military training (and it is more than questionable that our Territorials are now, not nearly as efficient as tho untrained Boer riflemen were) does not represent from' a defence point anything like the value that would bo derived if the larger'part of this sum were spent in naval coastal defence. All the inonoy in the universe oxpendcd on military training in New Zealand will not add ono iota to its security against attack,.' If an enemy fights with New Zealand, it will bo with warships to bombard our wealthy coastal .ports and shipping, and without adequate protection coastal towns will fall an easy proy to modern gunnery, or must pay a huge ransom, if not worse, thus financially crippling and dealing New Zealand a "death-blow for years afterwards.—l am, etc., NAVAL.

FOXTON WHARF AND HARBOUR.

Sir, —You are entitled to tho gratitude of tho people of Foxton and tho surrounding districts for your full report of. the matter brought before Cabinet by (lie deputation from the public bodies of the Manawatu, regarding tho

high-handed treatment of the Foxton Harbour Hoard by the Railway Department's oiheers, whom ministers seem very afraid to offend. The public does not know that tho Department did not build the Foxton wharf, but merely acquired it when tho old board dropped out of existence'. The Department collects every penny of wharlage, and has spent practically nothing on wharf, river, or bar for many years. The price asked for is not tho truo capital value, as it is based on the gross rovenue, and at 3} per cent., at which rate no local body can borrow money. Tho Minister of Railways states that' he is now spending money on the wharf. That is truo; but he also knows that the work being put in is only a veneer, and that a new and substantial decking is being orected on old and rotten piles, and that tho piles will soon have to bo replaced, and tho new decking ripped up to allow tho piles to be driven in. Twenty thousand pounds is too much to pay for a wharf which has seen its best daya, and if tho board agrees to pay out £1000 por annum for the right to bo allowed to manage a property which by all the laws of fair play it is entitled to for nothing, an injustice will bo dono to the district, and practically nothing will bo loft to carry out improvements. The Ministry has certainly not taken up an honest attitude. Let them .be frank, and say exactly what is'in their minds, so that the people will know where they aro. If it is the intention of the Government to continue the blockade of tho port, it is their duty to let tho peoplo know, and not continue this gamo of bluff.— [ am, etc., ... FAIR PLAY. Foxton, July 14, 1914.

THAT GREAT DEPUTATION. Sir, —On reading ever tho various arguments in your Monday's issue by those who interviewed tho Hon. Mr, iviassey, ro the plebiscite, reminded me more than anything else of schoolboy quibbles. "At tho present time it seems as though tho Spirit of God was moving on the .face of the waters, and the sea and waves aro roaring, and, Sir, this has happened since the beginning. But truth will prevail,-, no matter how men may contend against it. Probably it would not be amiss, were thoso who , contend against tho plebiscite to read carefully tho .third chapter of Matthew, and also to remember what our Saviour said: "And I, if I bo lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto mo." And the 32nd verse of the llthi chapter of Luke should bo a warning to opponents of Scripture. And, Sir, I don't see why our Catholic friends have any occasion to hinder the Scriptures from being read, in our schools, as their own version is so very similar to our own, except in a very few words. Wo, as enlightened peoplo, must notice the great religious movements amongst the various nations of the earth. In Mark, Bth chapter and 88th verse, is very clear to tho rejector of his words. Truth tells us distinctly that the spirit of anti-Christ is abroad even now. Most men, we know, believe in God, and the Scriptures toll us so do devils. But do they believe in His Son Jesus Christ ? If school teachers object—they are not there for ever. The rising generation, young men's and women's Christian associations, wbo aro being educated up to the standard of truth, may eventually till up the gaps of the "rather nots"—that our chilr drenmay know the truth and the truth will make them free. 'The writer asked a girl about 12 years, if she. ever heard of Jesus." "No," she said". Is this heathen darkness in a Christian or so-called-Christian-land?—l am; etc..' '-- ; :• /:■•-«• .HENRY-WALTON,. . Waikauae, July 14, 1914.

BISHOP CLEARY'S COMPLAINT. Sir,—Only a few words aro needed by way of a reply to Dri deary's complaint about my. telegram .which appeared in your issue.of the 13th inst. The telegram simply . reported, and / accurately reported,, tho statements of a correspondent in the "Otago Daily Time.s." The Dominion is no way responsible for the opinions expressed by tho writing of a correspondent in the "Otago Daily Times," and it is to tho "Otago Daily Times" that 'Bishop Clejary, I submit, should direct his criticisms. \ An error crept into my'telegram in your issue of tho 16th inst. The Roman Catholic proportion of tho population was represented as 40 per cent., instead of 14. per cent.—l am, etc., . DUNEDIN SPECIAL CORRES- , -PONDENT. Dunodiu, July 18, 1914.

ROMAN CATHOLICS AND THE REFERENDUM.

Sir,—l have been a supporter of the Reform Party for over twenty years, and I am veiy sorry to see the Govern-, ment lending their aid to any denomination in. regard to having the Bible taught diix our State school. The Government must know that this is icpulsive to thousands' of people in tins Dominion. New Zealand'is proud of its educational:system. Why? .Because it is free, secular, and 'compulsory, where, the children belonging to'' all denominations can be'educated quite apart from their religious belief. The Roman Catholics, although paying the same ' taxation as others, have built schools in tho larger centres, where their children can learn their; religious as well as their secular education. But thero are a largo number of Catholics living in the country districts whoso children uso tho State schools, and is it right, is it fair that they should bo debarred from education? Because I want the Premier and Ministry to know that in spite of the compulsory clauses of tho Education Act. Catholic parents" will not allow their children to attend schools where Bible teaching is carried on. Then, sir, we will see parents .being brought before tho Courts and fined. For what? Because they will not allow their children to attend the State school (of which thoy aro paying their share of upkeep), because it is against their religious beliof. This is a young country, where there should be no sectarian strife regarding our schools: But if this Referendum Bill is allowed to proceed; it will certainly occur. Those are certain matters diat Parliament should' not legislate on,' and one is tho right.of every man or. woman to liavo tho right of their religious belief. Hoping that even at this lato hour the Government will cunsider this freedom that thousands in tho Dominion demand, and will have. —I am, otc, H. M'MANAWAY. Huntcrville,, July 13. ,

CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES,

, Sir, —I have carefully read the manifesto issued by tho Roman Catholic Archbishop and Bishops of New Zealand, on tho Bible-in-Schools Bill, and for tho benefit of thoso who have overlooked it in the papers, I quote it as it appeared, as follows: — "Christianity," says tlio manifesto, "teaches that Parliaments or electoral majorities tlmir proper limitation when they interfere- with a man, or coerce him, in his personal relations with conscience, and with tno Divine Lawgiver at the back of conscience, yet this is just what is proposed in the Bill here- under consideration." ■ '■ Now, strange as it may appear, tho majority of the Archbishop's co-religion-ists in Ireland entirely disagree with this teaching as regards Homo Rulo for Ireland, and on the contrary, consider, it is quite right, in that case, for the majority "to interfere with a man, or coerce him in his personal relations with conscience," even to tho extent of forcing him out of tho caro and protection of the' British' Parliament) and forcing him under the control

of an Irish Parliament, tho largo unv jority of which body would bo entirely opposed to tho "personal relations and conscience" of the- minority. It is wonderful how differently the two cases can bo regarded when convenient.—l am, etc., AN ULSTERMAN.

MODERATES AND THE' LIQUOR TRADE.

Sir,—lf the Moderates are in earnest and really wish to benefit tho com- '■ munity and to do away with tho evils connected with the liquor trade, they would do woll to get Parliament to intervene and bunt up, once and for all, the prasont iniquitous system of hotel ' leases existing nearly all over the Dominion, whereby a botelkeeper is bound under all sorts of penalties to' supply •• certain brands of draught beer, or pay in many cases nearly 100 per cent, more rent, and is forced into such a position that to do othorwiso would mean certain ruin. He must bow tho knee to'. King Brewer's commands, or his soul or body is scarcely his own. A more ' one-sided or unjust agreement it is hard to imagine, and one- would expect a, Court -of Justice to find such agree- ' ments harsh and unconscionable; It also seems time that public attention, was focused on the ridiculously small fee charged for a hotel license. A license is granted (often in spite of strong police opposition, as in the case of a new license recently reported in tho "ally papers as granted) for tho sum of £40, and the day after it is granted a license becomes a marketable commodity, to tho value iu some cases of thousands of pounds. Tho holder has ' done nothing to give it that value, and the fact remains that the State id not getting the value it is entitled to for the license. An auctioneer pays £40 for a license, and that is its full market value; he cannot yet a pennv more for • it, and its value depreciates as time goes on. Surely in common fairness the" yaluo belongs to the State and not the brewer, and it is quite time that a change was made wheroby tho State - reaped its value. Whilst Moderates claim amongst their leaders a lawyer for at least two wine and spirit merchants of this town, and ably seconded by a gentleman whose business in part is tho sale of hotels (as may bo seen by advertisements in the daily, papers of this' town), one cannot expect anything but a leaning to;the trade. The thanks of the community will bo duo to any true Moderate or Temperance advocate who ' will try to bring in reforms of this • nature.—l am, etc., • LIGHT. Wellington, July 14. "