MR HUGHES AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 253, 28 November 1914, Page 8

MR HUGHES AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

To the Editor of THE SUN. In the letter which appeared in your columns from "Guard" on 27th inst., I am asked to declare myself on the question'of a referendum on the Bible in Schools, so that, as your correspondent puts it, "electors may. vote with a full .understanding of the position." At. my meetings throughout the constituency I have repeatedly affirmed my belief • in the justice of a referendum on this question, though the persistent disturbances raised by a section of my opponents have perhaps accounted for my voice failing to reach your correspondent, to whom I am indebted for having so frankly asked me to satisfy the electors as to my position. Permit me to say that not only am I prepared to vote for the referendum, but I am prepared to' see that "the provisions of the same are carried out in the spirit as well as in the letter. May I trespass further on yqur space to reply to a question which lias reached me today,' asiting that I define my position oil the 'bare majority issue, and that Ido so through the public Press. I have, always been a supporter of the bare majority, holding that the principle is thoroughly democratic and eminently fair, arguing that if a member of Parliament is elected on the bare majority vote, there can be no reasonable objection to settling other questions in a similar manner. I desire to thank those parties who have been manly enough to ask my opinion in j3uch a straight-out fashion, and I have endeavoured to answer them with an equal frankness.-*—l am, etc., F. B. HUGHES, Government candidate, Ch. Ch. South.