BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1927, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

HON. ISITT’S REJOINDER

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

HASTINGS, Aug. 16

Hon L. M. Isitt last evening replied to Bishop Cleary’s criticism of his pamphlet on “The Bible Reading in Schools.”

“While quite understanding tiie intensity of Dr Cleary’s opposition to the Bill. I think if people will conscientiously read the pamphlet then they will see the absolute absence of anything that can he developed into a Sectarian Bill. T feel sure any reasonable man would agree with me alien I say that the Bill is not a sectarian one. W here Bishop Cleary finds f have misrepresented, I do not know, hut should lie at some future date, especially point out where misrepresentation had been made, I hope to answer ' him to the best of my ability.” Referring to the Bishop’s ridicule of the suggestion that it was the Roman Catholic Church which had prevented the Reform. Hon Isitt contended that this was patent. IT as a body the Catholic Church reversed its opinions, and supported the Bill, there would he a following in either House that would ungrudinglv let the Bill go through this session without the slightest difficulty.

“While recognising the noble efforts and generosity with which the Roman Catholics had sought to provide schools where religious instruction was given. Hon Isitt maintained that even with all that enthusiasm and generosity it was impossible for the Catholic Church to provide schools for all their children in the many sparsely populated areas of this Dominion. After 16 years’ experience in this work, he was convinced that it is either the terms of this present Bill, which is a real compromise to the existing conditions and consciences that will lie enacted, or nothing, it is absolutely absurb to

say that even the 14 per rent voting power of the Catholics taken on bloc does not affect the Bill. The only thing that stops the Bill from going through both Houses is the Opposition conscientious. I will grant it to l>e so of the Catholics.” Mr Tsitt took the opportunity of saying that while Bishop Cleary dramatically opposed the question at stake no man recognised more clearly than did he (Mr Isitt) the high character and noble life of his ecclesiastical opponent.