BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 264, 4 November 1904, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Eeporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day

A deputation representing the Bible in Schools party waited on the Premier last evening with a view to furthering their object.

The Rev. R. Gibb said that the party regretted that the Legislativ-e Council failed to carry the Referendum Bill, and they now asked him to introduce a hill with the specific object of allowing a referendum on the Bible in Schools question at the next election.

The Premier expressed his own disappointment at the rejection of the Referendum Bill by the Council for the third time. He declared that membere of the House opposed to the Bible m Schools had used every device and subterfuge to prevent the passage of the Referendum Bill. Regarding the straightout issue of a vote on the Bible re'adirg in schools, he said that the deputation would .find that there "were members who, whilst supporting a Referendum, would not support the single issue proposal. He did not think such a bill could be go through, at all events not this session. He suggested that a private member should bring in a bill next session, and it would not then be a party question.

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER'S

PROTEST.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday.

The Rev. J. Mackenzie, of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, in the course of a speech to-night, mentioned the Referendum Bill, saying that its having been thrown out was tremendously important. The Premier had twice promised a deputation, of which the speaker was a member, that he would introduce the Referendum Bill, and had the best means of knowing it would be passed, but it had been twice thrown out. It was time, therefore, for the Church, to make its voice heard very distinctly. It was being befooled, and there was insincerity in the matter. A demand should be made for a referendum before next session on the Bible in schools question. On every question involving great, moral issues the voices of united Christians must be heard.