"PRIEST-RIDDEN PEOPLE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147, 25 June 1914, Page 2

"PRIEST-RIDDEN PEOPLE.

STATEMENT BY MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH.

PROTEST FROM BISHOP GRIMES. CfkOM OCTR OOItBESPONDENT.] CBRL3TCHURCH, June 24. In the course of a lectui'e to the Young Women's Christian Association at Avon last night the Mayor of Christchnrch (Mr H. Holland); referring to his travels abroad, said that in beautiful and siinny Italy his heart was sore at the -' miserable povertystricken and ,priest-ridden condition of the people. This reference to the priest-ridden people brought forth a spirited reply from Bishop Grimes a-fc a festival song and presentation, to ■ Bishop Grimes by the High Street Convent pupils tliis afternoon. His Lordship, referring to th© paragraph/ &aid that 'he wanted to know what claims the. Mayor had for making this statement! He (his Lordship) had* spent -a considerable time in Italy, and he went widely amongst tihe people, but he did. not think Mr Holland had. He (his, Lordship) went amongst the people to finS out whether they were priest-ridden, and had ascertained. that they were very far from being priest-ridden. They were down-trodden because they were governed by men who were not fit to govern them. "I don't know why. such things should be said! here," went on Bishop Grimes;" or why one in his official capacity should go out of his way to insult other people. lam surprised at him. I don't 'think it fair. I don't suppose he knows much Italian. I don't know whether he, knows enough to find but whether the people of Italy are priest-ridden. I don't see. why a person holding tJhe official position he does should go out of his way to insult those he did in his re«marks. . "■■.' "■;,'".'