BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 262, 9 December 1914, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

MS TOOGOOD'S POSITION". A REPLY TO MR ISITT.~ •j:n the course of -his address at the Rugby Street-Schoolroom last evening, Mr H. F. Toogood, Government candidate for the Christchurch North seat, refuted statements which ' had been made that he had changed his mind on the Bible-in-schools referendum question since 1-905. "To show that I have not changed my mind," said Mr Toogood, "let me read you the following letter: —'Christchurch, November 22 r 1905. Hon. Secretary, Bible-in-Schools Referendum League. Dear Sir,—l would, if elected, support a Referendum Bill to - enable the people to express their direct vote upon the subject of Bible in schools. It would be, of course, subject to similar conditions as the Swiss Referendum and Initiative Acts, namely, put in operation by a signed by, say, 5 or 7 per cent, of the electors. —Yours sincerely, Hy. F. Toogood.' "More Christian ethics!'/' he added. "Is it fair? Is it honourable? Is it honest.?—(A loud shout of "No!") —I have stood firm on the question, and what has my opponent done? —(Cries of, "He's a wobbler!" and "He's a twister!") —It will lose me votes. I know it will. I don't care. I'm. not truckling for them." (Applause.)