BIBLE, IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19717, 17 August 1927, Page 15

BIBLE, IN SCHOOLS.

MR. L. M. ISITT'S PAMPHLET.

REPLY TO BISHOP CLEARY.

"THE BILL NOT SECTARIAN."

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS, Tuesaay

The Hon. L. M Isitt last evening re] liod to Bishop deary's criticism of his pamphlet on Bible reading in schools. •' While quite understanding the intensify of Bishop Geary's opposition to the bill, 1 think that if the people wili conscientiously read the pamphlet they will see the absolute absence of anything that supported a sectarian bill," fa:d Mr. Isitt " 1 feel sure any reasonable man would agree with me when I say that the bill is not a sectarian one. Where Bishop Geary finds I have misrepresented him I do not know, but should he at some future date specifically point out where misrepresentation has been made I hope to answer him to the best of my ability." Referring to the bishop's ridicule of

the suggestion that it was the Roman Catholic Church which had prevented reform, Mr. Isitt contended that tins was

patent. It, as- a body, the Roman Catholic Church reversed its opinions and supported the bill there would be a following in either House, which would, not ungrudgingly, let the bill go through this session without the slightest diffi cultv. While recognising the noble eiiorts and the generosity with which the Roman Catholics had sought to provide schools where religious instruction was given, Mr. Isitt maintained that even with all that enthusiasm and generosity it was impossible for the Roman Catholic Church to provide schools for all children in the many sparsely populated areas of this Dominion.

"After 15 , years' experience m this work, I am convinced that it is either

the terms of this present bill, which is really a compromise to the existing con--ditions and ocnveniences, that will be * enacted, or nothing," continued Mr.

Isitt. " It- is absolutely absurd to say that the voting of even 14 per cent, of the people, the Catholics, taken en bloc, does not- affect the bill The only thing that stors the bill from going through both, Houses is the opposition—conscientious, I will grant it to be—of the Catholics."

Mr. Isitt took the opportunity of saying that while Bishop Clearv was diametrically ■ opposed to him on the questions at stake no man recognised more clearly than did he the high character and nobility of his ecclesiastical opponent.