SUPPLEMENTARY LIST

New Zealand Tablet, 3 December 1914, Page 36

SUPPLEMENTARY LIST

The following is a further list of . late replies to the Catholic Federation’s question in regard to the Referendum, issue in the coming elections. GREY. : P. C. Webb (S.D.). —History had shown that wherever they had the. Bible in the State schools it was productive .of sectarian strife and bitterness. Society; had already suffered enough through the latter condition, and he would not like to see it re-introduced. For the Bible in schools there was a number of sincere and earnest advocates, but he had found that a large number of the supporters of the idea were too lazy to carry out their own work and desired to pass it on to the teachers. Religion should be taught in the Church and home and not in the State schools. (Applause.) Our system of education was not what it might be: it could be improved, and he would support additional expenditure upon it. As for the Bible in schools, he would vote and work against it. — Grey Evening 'Star. H. L. Michel (G.).ln reference to the Bible in schools question, he could not as a Liberal and a Radical deny the right of the people to have a voice on tire question, and must therefore support the referendum. MAT AURA. G. J. Anderson (G.).We take the following from the. Wyndham Herald-.— Mr. T. Aysou : Are you prepared to support a referendum on the Bible-in-schools question ?—Avery man has a right to his own particular views on any question. If a referendum were taken, that would settle it. Mr. Ayson; A referendum, I take it, would allow Parliament to ascertain the opinion of the country as a whole, but not necessarily to make it become. law? — Reply; What would be the use of holding a referendum, unless Parliament is prepared to abide by the will of the people ? I personally would support the will of the people.’ BRUCE. C. R. Smith (O.). —Your enquiry of 23/11/14 I have received. Before receiving your letter I had already. pledged myself publicly to the following position and must abide by itviz., Plebiscite with issues separated and voted for or . against separately with conscience clause for teacher and pupil. I also agree to' the services of Government experts in physical instruction, and medical officers being available for all schools, including yours. Also that School Journal, in which your children, are examined, should be provided same as to State schools. I have laid my position before Mr. O’Conor, Lawrence, and Mr. Whelan, Waitahuna, and both these gentlemen are prepared to do their best to place me at the head of poll. I am sorry I cannot go as far as you desire, but all I can do as a fair man I will do. CENTRAL OTAGO. W. A. Bodkin (O.) : T am not in favor of the Bible in schools, neither will I support a referendum.’

CLUTHA. • -, v A. S. Malcolm (G.) : ‘I am rushed for. time, but may say I am very strongly opposed to the Bible-in-SchooL League’s proposal for a referendum.’ . WANGANUI. F. Pirani (G.). — Will support the referendum. J. T. Hogan (Lib.) and W. A. Ve'itch (Lab.) — Both opposed to the measure, and -will vote against same if returned. O AMARU. J. A. Macpherson (O.) : ‘I am opposed to the principle of referendum.’ WAITAKI. J. Anstey (O.) : ‘ I Rave made it perfectly clear at all my meetings that I am opposed to the introduction of religious teaching into -our public schools, and even more emphatically that in matters bf religion or conscience ; no majority, however great, has any right to interfere, and consequently I am opposed to either Bible in schools or any referendum on the question.’ WAKATIPU. J. Stephens (O.) : ‘ln answer to your question re voting for a referendum on any matter, which may in any way affect matters of religion or conscience, I may state that I have made the declaration wherever I have been so far that. I am opposed to any matter plebiscite that was likely to affect either conscience or plebiscite that was likely to effect either conscience or religion. - OROUA. John Morrison (O.) : ‘ I am not in favor of a proposal to make it possible for a referendum to be taken on matters of religion or conscience.’ WA IRA RAPA. J. T. M. Hornsby (O.) : ‘ I will always resist, to the uttermost of my power, by voice and vote, any attempt to interfere, with any man’s conscientious and religious convictions. I will not support a referendum on matters of religious or conscience under any circumstances. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. F. B. Hughes (G.): ‘ No.’ NAPIER. J. Vigor Brown (O.) ; ‘I am right against the referendum on all matters of conscience.’ _ EDEN. Wesley E. Richards . (S.D.) : ‘I am opposed to a referendum being taken on matters affecting religion or conscience.’ AUCKLAND EAST. Austin S. Holmes (G.) ; ‘ The electors of Auckland East are only entitled to ask my political opinions.’ , SELWYN. The secretary Rakaia parish committee states: Messrs W. J. Dickie (O.) and Hamlet (G.) will vote against the referendum on the Bible-in-schools question ; G. Sheat (G.) favors the referendum. OTHER CANDIDATES (By telegraph.) ■ The following wire from the Organising Secretary of the Catholic Federation reaches us as we go to press ; ‘ The following will oppose the referendum on the Bible-in-schools question in addition to lists previously sent Hunter (Christchurch East) ; Whiting (Christchurch South) ; Witty (Riccarton) ; . Hudson (Motueka) ; Field (Otaki) ; Hornblow (Rangitikei) ; Jull (Waipawa); Mander (Marsden); Morrison (Patea) ; Purdie (Marsden) ; Luke (Wellington South) ; Hindmarsh (Wellington South) ; Herdman (Wellington North) McLaren (Wellington East) Jennings (Taumaranui) ; Harris (Waitemata) supports referendum if three separate issues submitted;, Hunter (Waipawa), Williams (Wellington South), Crabb (Palmerston North) in favor of referendum unconditionally. Raglan electorate,' no replies supplied. Branch secretary advises Bollard Bible League candidate, and Thompson opposed thereto.’ . : ‘