THE MARTIN CASE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2800, 21 October 1924, Page 3

THE MARTIN CASE

STATEMENT BY BISHOP ■ CLEARY. - Auckland, October 20. Bishop Cleary, dealing with the Martin ease in a Catholic .publication, says his part therein has been made the subject of most flagrant perversion of the truth. His attitude throughout was one of earnest desire to 00-operaic for the restoration of the young woman to her family and the meeting at which this was arranged was held at the Bishop’s House by the request of Mrs Martin’s representatives with a view to prevent the ladies being annoyed by curiosity-mongers at a more public place. The Bishop pressed the daughter to accept her mother’s conditions as fair and proper and urged her to return to her mother's lmii.se. Afterwards Mrs Alarfin and her representatives thanked him for the attitude he had taken. Tlie Bishop adds he can state definitely and emphatically that the immediate cause of Miss Martin’s departure from home had nothing to do with the Catholics or her religious views. RESOLUTION BY P.P.A. The following resolution was carried hv die Dominion Executive of the Protestant Political Association at: irs last meeting) —. “This executive expresses its regret that the board of the Auckland Grammar School has abandoned tlie inquiry into the case of Miss Martin and the alleged attempt to proselytise by a teacher under the jurisdiction of the board, and expresses the opinion that, .in accepting Miss Terry’s resignation when there were allegations of at least one ..ther similar ease of proselytising. the hoard intended to burke a public, inquiry. A full knowledge of flu- facts justifies the statement that not only wore the pupils themselves indignant, and the parents under great anxiety because of the revelations made, but the teachers of- the staff have come under suspicion. The failure of thejioard to conduct ail open inquiry to assure both parents and children, and to char the teachers of suspicion, is therefore highly reprehensible, since it: leaves the reputation of the school under a cloud, and (lie public confidence in the integrity of the school as an nnscotarian institution shattered. This‘executive respectfully urges and demands that the Minister of Education lake action to clear the State secondary schools and the staffs of suspicion; to reestablish public confidence, and to assure parent's and children alike that any attempt at. proselytising in Plate schools will be met by severest penalties. Further, .this executive expresses the strong opinion that the members of (lie Auckland Grammar School Board should be. called upon to resign as having proved themselves incompetent to safeguard the interests and good name of that great school.”