PRAYER AT SCHOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9656, 12 July 1919, Page 7

PRAYER AT SCHOOL.

TECHNICAL BOARD'S

DISCUSSION.

At the meeting of the Ashbnrton Technical School Board yesterday, the notice of motion by Mr J. Watson was discussed:—

"That the qxiestion of a. general assembly of the students each morning for prayer before the general work of the day begins, bo considered at the Board's next meeting." Mr Watson said he had had a feeling that the children had been educated on too materialistic lines. That was ono of the lessons of the war. Germany had been held up as perfection in technical education, and we had copied that. But Germany had become inefficient in the heart in becoming efficient in the hand. Large classes came to the school from the Primary schools, chiefly to learn handwork, but the moral aspect had been lost sight of. The highest ideal should be. "Our God, our help in ages past," and he thought at least the Lord's Prayer might be repeated in assembly every morning before classes commenced. So life's highest ideal would not be lost sight of in every day's work.

Mr G. W. Andrews, in seconding the motion, said he agreed with Mr Watson's statements. There were- difficulties, but perhaps they could be worked out.

Mji" C4. W. Hillier said they were treading on thin ice, and he moved an amendment, "That the Director go into the matter, see if jt were practicable, and report to the next meeting." Mr G. Schneider seconded the amendment.

Mr W. T: liill said if the right thing were done there was foothold on thin ice. The whole, principle w a s right. For 40 years in New Zealand they had tried to kill denominationalism. The Primary .schools had the privilege once a week of Riving religious instruction out of school hours. Some schools did this, others avoided the "thin ice." For all that was right and good, the principle should be upheld. Out of' a population of 70,000,000, Germ a ny sent 800,000 to' Sunday School, and Groat Britain with 45,000,000 sent 6,000,000. There were a good few extremists in religion in these days, and they should be careful before acting, and he ' agreed witl# Mr Hillier's amendment. „ /.•■•• „

The chairman' (Mr C. Reid) said he didn't care what a man's opinion was, if he objected to a simple thing like the Lord* s Prayer, he was not worthy of education at all. It was necessary that something should be done in this I matter. Something must be held in reverence no matter what views were held. It was character after all that was wanted in teachers, and that quality belonged to New Zealand teachers, and the matter might safely be entrusted to the teachers in the Ashburton Technical School. He thought with Mr Hillier, the matter might be left in abeyance until all members had full notice. j

Tho Director stated •his opinion on invitation. He said he would like to havo a morning assembly, but there was no room for it at present. Also, the pupils arrived at school at different hours, from the town and off the trains. There was no reason, however, why there should not be a recess a' 11 a.m. each morning to hold a prayer assembly. ■ Mr J. B. Borthwick asked if there was a provision in .the Technical School Act prohibiting-.any religious form of service as in Primary schools.

The Director replied that there was no such prohibition for Technical Schools. It was resolved to hold the whole mater in abeyance till next, meeting.