BIBLE LESSONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 76, 30 March 1935, Page 10

BIBLE LESSONS.

HALF-HOUR WEEK. VOLUNTARY INSTRUCTION. SUGGESTION TO GOVERNMENT (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Introduction into State schools of the system of voluntary moral and religious instruction for one-half hour each week, provided the time for secular instruction is not interfered with, as proposed by the Recess Education Committee in 1930, was suggested to the Government by the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, which yesterday afternoon recommended that the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill, introduced by Mr. 11. Holland (Government, Christchurch North) be not allowed to proceed. The committee had no recommendation to offer on the numerous petitions presented in opposition to the measure. In the opinion or the committee the Government should give effect to the views expressed in a section ot the Recess Education Committee's report as follows: "No system of religious instruction in State schools should be authorised such as will compulsorily require any State teacher to disclose his or her religious beliefs or adherence to any particular denomination, or to take in religious exercises other than of his or her own free will, but that, on the other hand, the fullest liberty should be given to those teachers who desire of their own accord to assist in the Nelson or any similar system of religious instruction that may be authorised by law. A clause should be inserted in the Education Act providing that if accredited persons approved by the Minister desire to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary nature in school buildings, the ordinary opening hour of the school shall be postponed, or the ordinary closing hour in the afternoon shall be advanced, on one day in each week as agreed upon, for not more than half an hour, to enable the instruction to be conveniently .given, provided that no alteration shall be made in the opening or closing hours which would reduce the number of hours to be devoted on that day to secular instruction to less than the minimum of four hours fixed by the Act."

Congratulating the committee on its recommendation. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent, Eden) said the suggestions would lie a distinct advance on the present policy. It was indeed amazing that text books should not be allowed to quote from the greatest form of literature in the world. The recommendation was regarded by Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, Westland) as representing the thin edge of the wedge, and he advised the House to proceed with caution 011 that account. Under th'b proposal the hours of school children would be interfered with, and the difficulties presented by the bill itself would not be overcome.

Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) said the committee was entitled to commendation for endeavouring to meet the situation, but at the same time care should be exercised. Time should be given for the country to consider the proposals before they were adopted by the Government. The report of the committee was tabled.

—"Syctaicy Bulletin."