BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 15 August 1925, Page 18

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

MR. ISITT'S BILL. (From Our* Special Cosresponilent.) "WELLINGTON, August 13. The re-appearance in the House of Representatives of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, promoted by some of the churches and fathered for legislative purposes by Mr. L. M. Isitt, is creating a little commotion in political circles. Mr. Isitt entered the House some fourteen years ago as an out-and-out supporter of the "free, secular and compulsory" system of education, and until he accepted charge of the churches' latest assault upon the system he had been generally regarded as one of its stoutest upholders. But the member for Christchurch North has changed his views upon many political questions during the last two or three years, and it need not be counted to his discredit that he has rallied to_ the assistance of the churches in their, present campaign. It is a little unfortunate for himseif, however, that he has abandoned' his convictions on tiiis particular question on tlie eve of his retirement from politics, when his constituents will have no opportunity to free him from the charge of inconsistency. Members'of the House, who had been spending their "Fleet Holiday" •away from Welington, have hurried back from north and south determined to resist to the last ditch the passage of Mr. Isitt's "baby," and judging from the division on the measure last session all their votes will be required to prevent it making further progress .during the present session. The Government, in accordance with its maintenance of the "Massey policy," will treat it as a non-party measure, and-the supporters of the Bill, so far, have done much more active lobbying than have its opponents.