BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 116, 17 May 1924, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

i i. m CANVASS OF TEACHERS. A OXE MAX MOVE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELL.IXGTOX, this day. Referring to a Press Association telegram from Wellington, dated May 9, regarding the taking of a vote of school teachers on the Bible in schools question by private individuals, Mr. I. C. Prudhoe, of Christchurch (who says he is the person referred to), has written to the Educational Institute. He claims that his action is justified by the fact that in July, 1923, the executive was asked by the Wanganui branch to take immediate steps to have a -vote by all teachers, and that,, as far as he is aware, no vote has been taken here. There was, therefore, no possible chance of the executive granting a similar request from himself, and even if it were granted he could not assume the vote would be in the form desired, a form that especially would elicit the opinions of teachers on the question of repealing the secular provision. Mr. Prudhoe says no organisation has anything to do with the taking of the vote, he being solely responsible for it. Voting papers are to be treated as confidential, and will be kept in a safe until they are to be dealt with. He proposes to ask- the -president and secretary of the Justices of the Peace Association to act with him in opening and counting the papers. If the executive withdraws its advice to members to refrain from voting, "he will accept its nomination of any two other Canterbury justices as scrutineers.