BIBLE READING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 9

BIBLE READING.

POSITION IN SCHOOLS.

CHARGE OF VIOLATION. ENFORCEMENT OF ACT. Steps are to be taken by the Auckland Education Board to ensure that the privileges allowed various religious denominations to conduct Bible reading in schools are not abused. At to-day's meeting of the board the State Education Defence League wrote drawing attention to the uncontradicted statements that religious instruction was being given in school hours in Auckland, in direct contravention to the Education Act. The association desired to know what steps the board was taking to prevent this transgression of the law. A legal opinion on the subject was considered by the board in committee, together with subsequent discussion because of a threatened lawsuit. It was stated that the solicitor seemed to clearly indicate the action the board should take to see that the Act was complied with, and it was agreed that instructions should be given to teachers accordingly. Subsequent to the meeting the chairman of the board (Mr. A. Burns) stated that the board was only too anxious to keep within the four corners of the Act. It was its duty to see that the Act was not violated. Instructions would be given to teachers that school was not to be assembled at the usual time on the morning of religious instruction, but that the roll call should be half an hour later. The feeling of the board was that when a favourable referendum was taken on the Bible reading question, parents signified their willingness to allow religious instruction and the attendance of theii children at the special classes.