PILATE AND THE MAIN ISSUE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2016, 25 March 1914, Page 9

PILATE AND THE MAIN ISSUE.

(To the Editor.) , Sir,—ln a recent survey of the newspaper controversy on the Bible-in-schools question, 1 havo been struck-by the disparity in tbo methods of argument adopted by tho two sides. About a, month ago, Professor Hunter levelled three very pertinent questions at the Bible-in-Schools' League. Hope had long since died that the acknon ledged leader of the league would make answer; but when Bishop Sprott, its most able member, entered the lists we looked forward to an able reply. And we got it; but more in the form of an ingenious .piece of side-stepping than of convincing refutation of the Professor's platform. In fact, the Bishop dealt only with a small side issue of tho question—Pilate's Referendum. So far as he went, he gave tho National Schools' Defence League something to demolish • and that done, there was no need for the deluge of repetition wo have endured from the pen of uninspired anonymity. Wo had almost been persua'ded by the .persistence of certain of the Biblo-m-schools party that Pilate was the crux of tho whoio position. One gleefully splashes in. a puddle of Pilotiau analogy; another spreads himself at considerable length, apparently for littlo else than the satisfaction of again seeing Pilate"w!'t>riti£;'^'ahd ,; a third makes a break by-pointing out an alleged disparity on the subject in the respective opinions ! of Professors Hunter and M'Kenzie. To' me, personally, such-a disparity, if it ■• exists, arguing freedom of thought, and liberty of action, forms a refreshing contrast with the trammelled utterances of the Bible advocates. But I have no desire to saddle Bishop Sprott with the vapourings of _ his nebulous clientele. The elaboration of, side issues by such giants of pettifoggery as Messrs. Nisi Dom;inus, F.J.C., and Tolerant, has not been established, ■ even in their cumulative'sterility, :tho trifling point they set out to prove. ' Professor Huntor remains unanswered in any respect; and this fact, like the notorious reluctance of Canon Garland to give a straight answer to 4. straight question, leaves the unmistakable impression of a .weak caso. And so, in all good faith and in the interests of controversial justice, I ask Bishop Sprott to deal with Professor Hunter's three issues :— 1. Does ho endorse the illegal conduct in respect of certain schools in Dune-' din? ■.-.■. : . 2. Does ho endorse Canon Garland in his approvarof the essentially denominational system of Switzerland? 3. Does he regard with Canon Garland. Prohibition to be a religious issue in the same sense as Bible in schools: and, if so, what is the attitude of the Anglican Church on the analagous religious issue? On the Bible in schools generally, Bishop Sprott's views aro not well known; and it seems only fair that, acclaimed as he is, as ono of tho pillars of the movement, he should definitely state his whoio position. Finally. I should like to ask him whether ho favoures tho methods of Canon Garland in their entirety, and in particular his policy of evading, on the platform or in the Press, open discussion of questions which so merit publicity in view 'of a possible referendum —I am, etc., LEONARD P. LEARY. Hadfield Hostel, Kelburne.

The sympathy of Earl Grey with cooperative methods is well known. When asked at Auckland if ho had formed any opinion of the way in which co-opera-tive principles- had been applied to agriculture in Now Zealand, he replied that unfortunately ho had been unable, for health reasons, to visit as many of the co-operativo organisations as he "should have liked. "I havo, however," ho went on, "visited at Duncdin a butter factory which is- doing tho business' of 2500 fanners, and was quit? delighted with all I saw. I also' visited ono of. the big freezing establishmont-s of Christchurcli,-which is doing a very big business andin tho best way. The moro the farmers combine together for the management of their own busi'ness' the bettor. Now Zealand has a splendid chance of giving the world an oxamplo of a co-operative commonwealth. How to increase tho profits of the farmer and of the orchardist is tho problem. Co-operative organisation supplies tho key. If tho farmere. would only combine- together in th 9 purchaso of requirements and tho marketing of their produca, they could secure for themselves a much higher percentage of the prices paid by the retail consumer than they now receive, and this increase of profits would enable them to pay a sufficiently high wage to attract the best men to the land. Of course, it is obvious that on tho profits of the primary producers tho woll-being of New Zealand depends. Their profits are tho only permanent source from which tho remuneration of the town artisan, and all the Civil Servants is paid." .

On Page 1 of this issuo will be found an advertisement concerning the Hillersdon (Wairau Valley) clearing sale, to bo held on March - 27, by Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Pyno and Co., and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd. The stock comprises 150 horses (draughts, hacks, harness, and pack horses, marcs and foals), thoroughbred stallion, Count of Kolmnr, draught stallion, -Whratstono, eolected dairy cows and young "cattle. 6 prime bacon pigs, and a full equipment of farm wagons, implements, and plant, and about'2oo tons of oatsbeaves in stack'. Luncheon will be provided and scats in th« conveyance may be arranged on- application to the auctioneers. •