THE BIBLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 July 1924, Page 9

THE BIBLE.

• —» DISCUSSED BY LEGISLATORS. MR, MASSEY LEADS THE WAY. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 17. “There is no question about it that the literature in the Bible is the most magnificent literature in the English language,” remarked the Prime Minister in the ; . House to-night when discussing Mr. Isitt’s Religious Exercises in the Schools Bill. Mr. Massey then entered into a little discussion with members on various phases of Biblical history, and it seemed as if the honours with him. He said that the Bible contained a number of prophecies which had been fulfilled, and there were others which had not yet been fulfilled, but which, he believed, would be. The Bible ought to be of particular interest to legislators, because it was partly legislative.^ Mr. Fraser: “Splendid lam Maws.” “The basis of the freehold system is set from there,” replied Mr. Massey, amidst much laughter. A Labour member: “You have read it upside down.”

The Prime Minister explained bis readiness to supply the authority for his statement. Mr. Sullivan: “What about the dividing up?” Mr. Fraser: “Nehemiah was the greatest land reformer.” Mr. Massey: “No. What about Moses?” Hon. Hnnaii: “He was a leaseholder.” “The hon. gentleman is thinking of Joseph, his namesake,” retorted the Prime Minister. (Laughter). “It is provided clearly in the laws of Moses that the land is not to be parted with by the families into whose possession it came for life first time for fifty years.” Labour members: “Is this "in the Bill?”

Mr. Massey: “No, hut lam trying to teach lion, gentlemen, and it is hard to make them understand.” (Laughter). A member raised the question of usurers.

Mr. Massey: “The Bible denounces the usurer in no unmeasured terms.” Mr. Fraser: “Joseph had the first wheat pool.” Mr. Massey: “And he parted with his wheat, but lie took the lands of the people of Egypt in exchange therefor. He was the first land nationaliser and the first leaseholder, and Egypt has not recovered from it to this day.” (Loud laughter). The Prime Minister added that the Bible ought to be of tremendous interest• to °legislators because the whole code of British laws was founded on the laws of Moses. Mr. Fraser: “He was the first great strike leader.” Mr Massey: “He led the people of Israel, and led them very successfully.” “I believe,” remarked the Prime Minister m conclusion, “that the Bible was given to humanity to- be a light untoour feet and a lamp unto our path a guide for us in this life and a direction for the world to come.” The more the people learned about the Bible the better it would for them, and the better lor the nation.