BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 28 July 1926, Page 11

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

MR. ISITT'S BILL. SECOND READING NEXT WEEK. (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Strong protests were uttered in the Legislative Council yesterday when the Hon. L. M. Isitt proposed that his Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, involving the reading of extracts from the Scriptures in State schools, Should be expedited so that it might be sure of reaching the other Chamber before the session is too far advanced. After the bill had been introduced and read a first time, Mr. Isitt asked that it be set down for the second reading on the following day. He pointed out that the session was likely to close very early in September, and that, unless the bill was dealt with speedily, there would be no possibility of getting it considered in the House. Some new members protested that they bad not had sufficient time to acquaint themselves with the measure. The Hon. A. S. Malcolm thought the bill should be allowed to stand over for a while so as to enable a number of people to give evidence on it. Voices: Hear, hear! Mr. Malcolm further suggested that it be read a second time on Wednesday of next week. So far as pleas for evidence were concerned, said Mr. Isitt, the petition presented to the Council that afternoon was on behalf of the same gentlemen who had presented a petition last year. All the evidence heard on that occasion' could be taken into consideration before the bill reached the House of Representatives. It must be manifest that the delay was one way of blocking tbe bilL Other councillors thought that it was only right to follow custom, and allow time for evidence to be taken, while some thought the subject of the bill was well enought known already. The Hon. Mark Cohen described the bill as one of the most contentious measures ever brought before Parliament, and he said he intended, when the time came, to move that it be referred to a committee to bo dealt with on its merits. Mr. Isitt assured the Council that he had not the slightest desire to balk full knowledge and discussion on the measure, and he was willing to consent to a week's postponement so long as, after the second reading, it was allowed to proceed without any Intervening delay. »4r\r}- w ?, nt V > . *-**-••"-» * f«*r run for the bilL I don't want the opponents of the measure to take an unfair: advantage of the position." The bill was set down for the second reading on Wednesday next.