RELIGION IN STATE SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 7

RELIGION IN STATE SCHOOLS.

(To tne Eil't.T.: Sir, —"Still Undecided." Under this heading we read in Saturday's "Star" tbe result of a meeting to which certain of our headmasters were invited to discuss an all important question. I say this advisedly, as from recent happenings in our own district 1 have as a parent had occasion to feel very much concerned as to what should be introduced to stem evil influences amongst a certain percentage of pupils. It may be of interest to your readers to learn that a gentleman who has had forty years' experience of our present educational system admitted to mc /though he regretted having to do so) that the more you educate a child under our present regulations the more immoral and the more criminal lie becomes. This is, I consider, a most serious indictment, and yet -can we deny it in the face of frequent appeals being made for leniency in our courts on the score that the

"accused had won special honours" at I school, or even college and university? Is it not time the parents most concerned took action t After all, a headmaster, valiant as he may be, is not always inclined to give prominence but rather to subdue facts in order to present a good report and avoid casting odium on his school. It is there already, so let us as parents remove it, if not <by religious instruction then in the name of humanity and for the future of our nation let Uβ grasp our responsibilities and devise some other means of combating it. If ordinary education is only to be attained at the sacrifice of the souls and the morals of our little ones, then I say dispense with it all. As school attendance is compulsory by low the parents are justified in demanding some protection in the interests of the children.—l am, etc., ARTHUR CUMMINGS.