IN REPLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1913, Page 7

IN REPLY

[to the editor-] Sir,- —Probably not many of your readers have waded through the long rigmarole appearing in your lasi issue over the name of George Cox, Presbyterian Home .Missionary, Runanga. Of course, the preacher of peace and goodwill (save the mark) could not allow the opportunity to pass without having a fling at the poor ignorant priestridden Romanists, as he insultingly and in his ignorance terms the Catholics.

It is indeed, lamentable in these days to read such arrant, venomous matter over the name of a preacher of peace and goodwill. Anti-Catholicism is very strong iu this model missionary. One would have thought, sir, that the Catholics of this district have during the past few weeks had enough abuse hurled at them, enough loathsome lies disseminated about them and their religion by the low, lying electioneering touts. . Some of these touts I regret to say, are of ■ the gentler sex, who no doubt will to-morrow in their churches hold their heads high and praise the God of all truth and charity. Sir t it is scandalous, and has caused many fair-minded honest Protestants to blush for shame ; many have indeed averred that they could not conceive that such venomous bigotry existed in Greymouth. But all the abuse of the past few weeks are not enough for the RevGeorge Cox, of Runanga. He must keep the ball rolling by hurling at Catholics insulting epithets. Then lie thinks that his friend should attend for a few months at a Protestant Church, and he would be amazed at what the ministers do preach. Yes, if the Runanga missionary’s writing be a criterion of what he preaches then God help his congregation. It is no wonder that tile churches are empty and that dissension is rife in their ranks. No doubt tirades of abuse are hurled at the ignorant Catholics and their priesthood, who judging by results can afford to laugh at such futile efforts to tarnish then characters. Yes, sir, the Catholics of the district have had their share lately, and have had hurled at them and their religion and their pastors a tissue of what that great Englishman Cardinal Newman, termed wholesale retail, unscrupulous lies. It will, no doubt, now be Mr Webb’s turn to have his character and his opinions besmirched by the same electioneering dodges as were used against Mr Hannan. Surely to goodness a more tolerant spirit should permeate the people in this age of education and enlightenment. —Yours, etc,.

FAIR PLAY