BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

MR. ATMORE'S REPLY TO REV JOHN PATERSON.

The following reply has boon received from Mr. 11. Atmore, M.P., to the etter by the Rev. John Paterson, published yesterday, on tlie question of fixing a date for Mr. Atmore’s challenge to debate the question of Bible teaching in tlie piimaij schools: — . _ T . T 1 . “Mv comment on the Kev. John Laterson’s ‘letter is that it is quite in keeping with his speech delivered at the 1 rcsbyterian Assembly last year, when he asserted that the opponents to tlie Religious Exercises in Schools Bill were led by Bishop Cleary, they were loud-mouthed and full of abuse, and vilified their opponents on every occasion.” That is braggadocio, coupled witii what is not. tine. ’The reference to Bishop Cleary is undoubtedly made for the purpose ot raising sectarian issues. His'taunt as'to delay on my part is amusing, as it appears to be based on his idea that trepidation would be experienced by anyone about tq debate witii the rev. gentleman. “My challenge was to tlie Bishop ol Nelson, the Hon. Isitt, or the Rev. John Paterson. I have caught the smallest fish, but I am content to meet him. It was impossible for me to make the necessary arrangements earlier owing to pressure of public business, which has first claim ou my time, but if the rev., gentleman will only possess his soul in patience I shall surely meet him, and ni the meantime would ‘it be expecting too much of him to believe (hat he is not considered formidable by the opponents of his Biblcbelittling Bill. Notwithstanding the braggadocio with which he favoured the members of his Assembly last year, and the second instalment of, winch is contained iii his last letter.