BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 244, 9 July 1921, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

DISCUSSION IN SYNOD NELSON SYSTEM FAVOURED The vexed question of the Bible in schools was revived at yesterday's sitting of the Wellington Diocesan Synod, when the following motion was moved by the Ven. Archdeacon Innes Jones:— That in the absence of religious instruction in State schools, this Synod commends to the clergy the desirableness of participating where possible, in what is known as the Nelson system, in our primary- State schools. Mr. Jones asked whether it was the wish of the majority of parents that the Bible should be excluded from the Schools. Answering his own question, ho •aid "No." The matter had been under (discussion in tho Dominion for many years, and the many petitions presented to Parliament on the subject had, ho eaid, been as so much waste paper. They had to-day no right of entry into the State schools, except by permission of the various school committees. The State only half-educated the child, leaving out altogether the cultivation of the spiritual side of its nature. Mr. Jones said that Under the Nelson system the clergy were permitted to enter the schools under sufferance. The system had 'been in vogue in Nelson and various other parts of the Dominion. Generalising, he said there was no doubt that they could not teach morals without religion, and he trembled to think what the future of the Dominion would be with so many of tho rising generation growing up without any religious instruction whatever. The tendency was downward rather than upward. On tho principle that half a loaf was better than no bread, he moved tho motion standing in his dame. The Bev. Wilfred G. Williams said that for some, time past, the system had worked well and smoothly in schools in Wanganui, and there was no reason for which it should not be adopted with equal success in other districts. The Bev. John Walker (Masterton) said that he had always felt it impossible to recommend the adoption of tho Nelson system. He realised the tremendous importance of the religious education of the children of the Dominion, and while upholding the need for this, he could not fall into lino with the modus operand! suggested. Criticising the Nelson system, he said that he would support it if ministers were allowed to teach the children in the State schools what he personally believed was the only thing to teach to children of their own faith—the Catholic faith. This, however, did not obtain under the Nelson system. Tti was really in tho nature of a compromise. No clergyman was permitted to tench anything that would hurt the feelings of anyone else. To his mind, the question raised iti the motion should bo left to the individual consciences of the clergy. Bev V. H. Kitcat (Marton) related his own experiences in support of the Nelson system. Under its aegis it was possible to teach children in the schools, simply, reverently, and truly the main and correct outline of that instruction which every child ought to receive. The Rev. W. Fancourt said that there could bo no question that the Education Act as it stood now banned rel’k’ ol ’ B teaching in State schools. The Wellington Education Board was opposed to the system, and it was therefore impossible for any minister to enter its schools. Tho motion was then adopted, a number of voices being raised in dissent.