QUOTING SCRIPTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 9

QUOTING SCRIPTURE.

THE BIBLE IN POLITICS. LAND LAWS OF THE JEWS. PREMIER SCORES HEAVILY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. In the exchange of Biblical repartee in the House of Representatives to-night when the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill was being discussed, the Premier showed great facility during a wordy tussle with Labour members, and won a position at the top of the class after many amusing tests. He had announced Ms support of the bill in the second reading stage, leaving it free for any member of the Cabinet or his party to vote either way, but he commended the Bible to his hearers for several reasons—among them its wonderful prophecy. Some of its predictions had been proved, and he firmly believed others would come true in the future. It also had epecinl interest for legislators, for members should realise it was partly legislative. Mr. P. Fraser: Splendid land laws. Mr. Massey: Yes, you will find the basis of freehold in it. (Laughter.) Mr. Fraser: Nehemiah was the greatest Hand reformer ever known. Mr. Massey: No, Moses. Mr. II a nan: Moses was a leaseholder. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey corrected the member for Invercargill, suggesting that he was thinking of his namesake Josiah. It was provided clearly in the laws of Moses that land was not to be parted from the family into whose possession it came for fifty years. Labour members choraesed: Is this in the bill? Air. Massey: No, but I am trying to teach the hon. gentlemen something. The Bible denounced usurers in no unmeasured terms. 91r. Fraser: Joseph had the first ■wheat pool. Mr. Massey: He parted with his wheat and took the lands of the people of Egypt in exchange. He was the first land nationaliser, and the first leaseholder, and Egypt has not recovered from it to this day. (Loud laughter.) Members ceased their interruption, for it was tactically admitted that the Premier had the greater resources. He • explained ho was taught to read the ! Bible daily in school, and by way of variety had to read verses in French. His superiority in the art of accurate biblical quotation was marked when the Labour speaker who followed quoted: "Woe unto ye who lay field to field," but added he"was not quite sure whether this was exactly the right quotation. "Near enough," said the Premier reassuringly. A Labour Member: The Bible refers to the usurer. Is he with us to-day? Mr. Massey: If any members wish to read about the usurers let them refer to the loth Psalm. The Hon. T>. Buddo (Kaiapoi): Its a pity you can't apply it here. Mr. Massey: I wish we could.