LEAGUE REFERENDUM METHODS —A CHALLENGE.

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1914, Page 9

LEAGUE REFERENDUM METHODS —A CHALLENGE.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —With soul, heart, and purse Catholics are staunch supporters of Biblical and religious instruction in schools. In Auckland alone, in about three years past, they have flung some £61,000 into that sacred cause. They object only to specified league methods of introducing State Biblical teaching, as being violations of sacred rights which God gave, and which no league, Government, or majority can lawfully take away. The league is now strenuously endeavouring to force the Prime Minister to "come to heel" with a so-called "referendum bill, to decide this que?tion of religion, religious liberty, and fights of conscience, by counting nosas. The.league bases its demand on tne statement that about a fifth of the Dominion voters have signed league cards demanding a "referendum", on "the system of religious instruction prevailing in Australia." At most, only a numerically insignificant minority of those signatories can have understood the "Australian" system in its true sense, or in the same sense. This for two reasons: (1) By what it says— and, still more, by what it conceals— the league card is a substantial misrepresentation of .the plain facts of the system of religious instruction "prevailing in Australia." (2). In the Vote-catching campaign, league publications and advocates flatly contradict each other on practically 3very detail, and even essential feature, of the "Australian" system which opponents have assailed. They have appealed to sectarian passion .provoked antipathy to opponents hy 'amazing misrepresentations, ..and generality, made it impossible for the vast bulk of card-signers to understand the facts of the system on which they demanded a misnamed "referendum."

The great body of these hundreds of contradictory and misleading statements have, doubtless, been made in

good faith' or 1 under controversial strless. But'that in no way alters the practical result. It is the practice of civilised Parliaments and law couris to refuse effect to documents sigoed through substantial (even though Innocent) concealment or misdescription. I intend to prove such substantial misdescription before the, public and the. Petitions Committee of the Dominion Parliament. Pending the latter development:-—

1. I offer to lay my abundant evidence (chiefly from League, law, and blue-book sources) before a comml'.tee of experts in the law of evidence, to be jointly chosen by the league and ir.o; the committee's report thereon to te publislied• . th.rbu-gOb.-iyiit New Zealand E-t tie joint expense*" of the league and me.

(2). I offer the Auckland Town Hill, free of cost to the League, for friendly questioning and discussion relevant vo the facts of these and other methods and proposals of the League.

(3). I. offer (if invited) to detail or discuss these matters pf fact—or to reply to questions—before the league's usual packed meetings of "sympathisers." '.'■-''■ ''

Such friendly discussions woild greatly interest and enlighten the general public—especially those who signed the league card, and the considerable number of signers who (as-.al-leged) in a short time abandoned the league and petitioned against it. The league maintains that it is esconced on the rock of truth and rectitude; it claims as fvupporters three out of every four in a .meeting of the general public. Yet -it has hitherto found running away much healthier-exercises than thus pjjblicly confronting "Australian" facts with its own version thereof. ' . , I shall probably receive the droll "disproof" that my proffered League facts attack the honour of sundry estimable people, for some of whom I entertain a warm personal regard. Innocent and unintended misrepresentation spells no dishonour. I am offering chiefly league facts or fancies. If these catch the league "on the point" (of honour), that is the league's fault or misfortune. It cannot alter the facts.—Yours etc., HENRY W. CLEARY, Bishop of Auckland. May 12. P.S. —With altered superscription, etc., this letter has been mailed, registered, to the league executive. There is more to follow.