LORD’S PRAYER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 5, 17 October 1940, Page 3

LORD’S PRAYER

RECITAL IN SCHOOLS. CONTRARY TO THE LAW. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON. October 16. A direction from the Education Department that the decision of the \\ ellington Education Board to permit the recital of the Lord’s Prayer in schools under its jurisdiction was contraiv to law, and must not be proceeded with, met with opposition when the board met to-day. The majority of the members argued that there should be no bar to the voluntary recital of the Lord’s Prayer and a resolution was carried stating that the decision was a matter for the board and the school committees, and not the Department. The secretary reported that two letters had been received from the Director of Education (Dr. Beoby). The first stated that the matter was very controversial, and asked for the Board’s legal authority for the step. It also asked the board to defer action on the resolution until the legal position was clear.

The second letter stated that it must be clear to the board that it had not in law authority for the direction it proposed to give. After referring to the section of the Education Act and the regulations governing the conduct of public schools, the letter concluded: "The provisions which refer to the authority of the board, which do not operate in the present instance, serve to emphasise that the board is purporting to enter a sphere in which the Department alone has authority. The proposed instruction, therefore, can be of po effect and I should be glad if the Board would see that it is not proceeded with.”

Mr T. W. McDonald moved that the letters from the Director of Education be received and that he be informed—

(1) That in reply to his first letter the board sees no reason why it should obtain legal opinion in this particular instance any more than in several other instances where it previously dealt with the same subject. (2) That in reply to the second letter, the decision of the board to have the schools opened daily with the Lord s Prayer is a matter for the board and the school committees, not for the Department. The opening referred to concludes immediately before the start of secular work.

(d) That the resolution of the board has already been put into operation. After an animated discussion, the motion was passed by nine votes to three.

The Otago Education Board decided to open its meetings with the Lord s Prayer, and recommends head teachers at schools not already opening the day with religious exercises to do so, repeating the Lord’s Prayer.