MRS A. R. ATKINSON'S OB JECTIONS TO THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS PROPOSALS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 931, 10 June 1914, Page 5

MRS A. R. ATKINSON'S OB JECTIONS TO THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS PROPOSALS.

To the Editor of the Alexandra Herald. Sib,—May I explain as briefly as I can why the platform of the Bible iu Schools League is abhorrent to me and to many others who, nevertheless, have a deep love both for the Bible and the children I I object to the proposal that the State school teachers should take any part in teaching the Bible—even in" the narrowed form advocated by some of the League's supporters of a mere supervision of the Bible reading, making the children understand the meaning of the wards, etc., as in any other reading lesson. In many of the selected portions in the Queensland text book (or in any other) the words ean have no meaning save a religious meaning, and the school teacher therefore becomes a teacher of religion. I deny absolutely the authority of the State in matters of religion, and therefore I deny also its right to pay for religious- education. If the Bible in Schools League has its way and the State-paid teachers give lessons from a ligious text book approved by some of the Protestant sects, how can any just person refuse a subsidy to the Soman Catholic schools? Yet no staunch Presbyterian at anyrate could see such a payment made with an easy conscience.

Another reason for objection is that it would add enormously to the difficulty of the teacher's lot* especially in country districts where the lK>wcr of the school committee to persecute and annoy the teacher is often very great. The League is fond of looting favorable opinions from N..S.W. and Queensland teachers, but suitresses always the fact that there the sehool committee system, an we understand it, does not exist, — the teachers are controlled only by the central education authority. Keligious differences are notoriously the most bitter and relentless, and to teachers open to the mjseries o,f a heresy hunt seems tq me a.n unthinkable cruelty: Nor would a conscience clause for teaohers (which the League does not suggest) materially improve the position, for the objecting teacher in a community

strongly favoring the Bible in Schools League would find himself a marked man. " -."-.". - .

I object almost as strongly to the right of entry proposals of the League. The sorting out of the children into sects that the minister of each sect may instruct them in "the faith of their fathers" would go far to destroy that unity of patriotic spirit that is now one of the finest indirect products of our national system of education. And the sufferings of a sensitive child who belonged to a small or despised sect, or whose parents had conscientious objections to his receiving the lesson might be very great. I speak feelingly on this point, baying myself suffered much in an Anglican school as the child of an unfashionable denomination. I object strongly to a referendum on a matter of conscience and religion ;no majority has a right to bind the conscience even of a minority of one. To attempt to compare this referendum with the liquor poll, which affects no man's .conscience but only a matter of licensed sale, is a manifest absurdity. The true and wise method of giving religious (not denominational) teaching in the public schools seems to me to be along the line suggested by the W.C.T.U. Convention and the Baptist conference last year,—that Parliament should so amend the Education Act as to make it impossible for boards and committees to block the giving of religious instructibn by voluntary teachers under the Nelson system. Many more classes are now held than is generally known, generally by representatives of joint Protestant churches, sometimes by those of one church alone. I have not the paper here, but I think the General Aesembly of the Presbyterian Church 1913 received a report on the Nelson system stating that 323 schools were taught by that church alone. This method involves injustice to none, and I earnestly hope that the present Parlirment will make the amendment. Though I must point out that a tithe of the energy and money spent in the attempt to force the teaching profession to do the work of the church would have sufficed to elect every committee and therefore every board, and could have provided many backblock centres with Home missionaries who could have done much for the religious life of the community besides the instruction of the school children.—l am, dear sir, Yours etc., L. M. Atkitson. Wellington, May 27th.

TO THE BDITOB. Sib, —Seeing the West Coasters and people of Lawrence have recently set up memorials to their pioneers, might we not pay a similar tribute to the brave battlers of our district who have passed, and are passing away ? I understand the local Jubilee Committee hold surplus funds which might fittingly be used to the memory of our early gold-seekers. Trusting the offspring of the old time prospectors will give this matter consideration; and I hope' the outcome will be a memorial cairn erected from boulders thrown up by their sires.—l am, etc., J. H. Davidson, Poverty Beach.