AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 157, 4 July 1921, Page 3

AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.

FEDERATING SUNDA\ SCHOOLS.

A Xew Zealand Association of Sunday

School Unions was recently formed with a view to promoting greater unity and efficiency in the work. A deputation consisting of Mr. H. Dearsly, (president of the Xew Zealand Association), the Rev. L. B. Busfield (hon. secretary of the recently formed association), and Mr. Frank Rowe (president of the Auckland Sunday School L*nion>, vieited Christchurch and Dunedin to secure the co-operation of organised Sunday School workers in the South Island. At a meeting presided over by Mr. D. S. Beatli the matter was discussed. The Rev. Mr. Busfield said there was a unique work for the association which no other body could do. The best way to promote Church union was to get their young people to grow up together with mutual understanding. What they were proposing would not interfere in any way with existing denominational organisatioi *. They could gain the benefits of ' .(filiation wit! the gTeat world's Sundi^ School Federation, and could arrange defective programmes for noted Sunday ?hool experts visiting the Dominion. The association would also bo in a position to'eontrol examinations throughout the country, and conduct them successfully. They were desirous, too, of having control of permanent paid exports and demonstrators, who would help to raise the standard of Sunday School work. In the Auckland district they were keeping a staff of demonstrators very busy, conducting about twenty meetings a month, and everywhere they were warmly received. The association might also organise a teacher training college. Some understanding of child life and of elementary child psychology was eminently desirable for Sunday School teachers, and for those who were willing to learn the ■opportunity should be provided. Mr. Dearsly referred to the marvellous growth of Sunday School enterprise, but said that as yet we were only touching the fringe of the work. Some of the great objects of the association were to ensure that no district should be without its Sunday School, to back up little struggling schools, and to raise the whole status of the Sunday School

I teaoher. Mr. Rowe spoke emphasising the brotherliness of this union and illuatrat- ■ ing the ignorance to be found in some northern settlements. He referred to the growth of the Auckland Sunday P.-hool I'nion. which now included 360 <ohooU and predicted similar growth and success for the new asso ™ tion - Mr .1 J. Purdie moved: "That the mooting recommend the various Sunday School Association- 5 of the city to give their earnest consideration to the proal , placed before them, and report to the delegate? from the north." The motion was carried, and it was decided to hold another meeting on the second Tuesday in August to receive reports on the subject from the various denominational Sunday School organisations, which will be consulted in the meantime.