BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22200, 17 September 1937, Page 12

BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

MR SAVAGE’S REPLY TO DEPUTATION “MADNESS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION” [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 16. While opinion was divided in Parliament on the question of religious instruction in schools, it would be madness for the Government to introduce legislation amending the Education Act in that direction while other important social legislation was waiting to be passed, said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) to a large deputation from ftie New Zealand Bible-in-Schools League to-day. Such legislation could only be forced through by using the closure, and he would never use it for that purpose. The Rev. J. Thompson Macky, the principal speaker for the deputation, urged that nothing should be done to interfere with the splendid work of Bible instruction being given in some districts under the present act. The Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) assured the deputation that its representations would receive every possible consideration from the Government He felt that the intention of Parliament was not being observed by the means adopted to introduce religious exercises in various parts of the country. He stated that before the bill was passed through the House the league would be consulted, but the question of religious exercises had not yet been discussed by the Government. Nothing would be done by the Goveminent to show any disrespect for religious opinion, Mr Fraser went on, but they would recognise that for the time being he was the people’s trustee for the education system. He would look at the matter in a broadminded, tolerant way, but he could not see any half-way -topping place. Mr Savage pointed out that aven the denominations themselves were not united on Bible reading in the schools. He told them frankly that in his opinion it vould be a mistake fop the Government to decide in favour of any substantial measure of religious teaching in the State schools. They had the Nelson system now. “My final word to you is this, said Mr Savage, “your representations will be placed before Cabinet, which will have to decide whether legislation will be introduced to give effect to your wishes, but my personal opinion is that it would not help you or help us ; we tried to sledge-hammer this thing through the Houcu of Representatives —because that is what it would come to.”