LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 6 March 1913, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

piBLE IN SCHOOLS,

Slß,—Your article on “Bible in Schools” in tlie Advocate of 4th inst., accuses its advocates of misstatements. Allow me to say that the Bible in Schools League is particularly careful never to make statements unless they can be supported by reliable evidence. Our opponents jiuake assertions, and imply base motives to pur witnesses, without any reliable evidence. We have the written and published statements of the Inspector-General of Schools in Western Australia, the Inspector-General of Schools in Queensland, the Senior Inspector of Schools in New S n «th Wales ; arious vother inspectors, head teachers and teachers, together with ex-teachers, who at any rate cannot he gagged and muzzled as alleged by Professor McKenzie. Are we to suppose, because Professor McKenzie.says so, that all these witnesses are telling deliberate falsehoods and are not to be believed because they are employed under an Act which makes them all liars and hyprocrites? Of course this can be said by anyone, of anyone with whom he disagrees, but it requires more evidence than his statement in order to prove it. Nor, knowJng that a biased mind eagerly snatches at any theory in its support, should I rely much ou Mr Geo, Powlds’ opinion that it is all a farce, and owingito the best hypocrite being the most popular, that we have these favourable reports of the working of “Bible in Schools.” Tin’s is simply abuse of the other side unworthy of an honest cause unless he can produce evidence to support it.—l am, etc. W. J. BIRCH. Thoresby, March sth, 1010.