BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 153, 29 June 1914, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS DEFENCE LEAGTTE. WELLINGTON DEMONSTRATION. (By Tclcgrapli.—rrces Association.) WELLINGTON, Pimdav. The New Zealand National Schools Defence League held a demonstration at the Basin Reserve this afternoon, when speeches were delivered against the proposal to introduce. Bible lessons or religious teaching into the State schools, and a series of resolution* were carried. PROPOSED MONSTER DEPUTATION. TO JMIARCH TO "I'AI'.I J.UIENT. (Tly Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) XEW PLYMOUTH, tills day. A larire meeting held last night in Eui'and'liall (called after Father llolland, whu was with Major yon Tompsky at the disaster near Ilawera in ISHS) one ul the speakers urged the sending of a huge deputation '.of Roman I'a.thoUts from all parts of .New Zealand to march to Paj-liament the same, a.- the prohibition party had done, to protest against the desires of the Bible iv l-.-lwob League. There were, the speaker said, about ten thousand pen-ons in Taranaki who objected to violation ot the rights of conscience, and be lelt sure HX) objectors from Taranaki alone would make a safriti.-c to attend any such deputation. This suggestion was adopted with enthusiasm. CATHOLIC FEDERATION PROTEST. (By Telegraph.--Press Association.) WELLIXdTOX". tiiis day. The annual meeting of the Catholic Federation last night carried a. resolution protesting against the propose,! referendum on Bible reading in schools as a violation of tho ri s liu ~;" conscience oi a large section of citizen-, an injustice lo teachers and an iniquitous proposal to tax alj people f., r t iie teaching of a religion acceptable to certain denominations only. ROMAN i ATHOUC PROTESTS. The following ri-solution was passed .ve-t-rd.iy hy the Sacred Heart Society. Parnell:—"That the member., of the Sacred Heart Society in parnell most emphatically protest ag.iin..t the institution of a >tatc religion in tiie State s.-noois. as propose,! by the New Zealand Bible in Schools League, thereby ieeking tn deprive nunv Protestant. Catholic. Jewish-, l.ninri.in. ,iu,| other objecting taxpayer- of the liberty of conscience they now enjoy, .ind'compelling ihem lo pay for Bibli.-al lessons to which they ,-on-, iontiously object." Further resolution of protest were passed by the Paniell branch of the Xc.v Zealand Catholic Federation, an! by the Rosary and Altar Societies and Voun" Men's Club, r.irnell.