RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 13

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

PARENTS CIRCULARISED.

Following is a copy of a circular which hna been issued to parents o£ children attending the Clyde Quay main school'. "To the parents and guardians of children, Standards I to VI. "A requisition was signed and sent to your school committee by the Ven. Archdeacon Innes-Jones and the Eevs. Baird, Beckingham, Eellhouse, and Hunt, for leave to refer to parents the question of starting the Nelson system in the main school, viz., a weekly half-hour—9 to 9.25 a.m.—of elementary moral and) religious instruction, to all whose parents do not object to their attendance.

"The Education Board having agreed to reduce the 25 hours’ weekly syllabus to 244 hours at ths option of committees who, acting on behalf of the,, parents, grant this referendum, you are respectfully requested to record your wishes regarding your own children, by kindly signing and returning this paper to the head teacher. (The committed count upon your reply, and the clergy earnestly ask for it). "For many years, in very many schools, this system has found increase Ing favour with teachers and inspectors. It was pointed out to your committee that while it involved their conceding 2 per cent, of the twenty-five hours weekly, it was found to result, in the majority who received the grace of God doing’better work from a better motive: a sense of increased moral responsibility all round.

"The ministers pledge themselves to punctuality, regularity, and) ns a point of honour to keep to common ground, viz., fundamental Christian truths of the Holy Scriptures. "I have no objection: "Signature and Address " "I object: "Signature and Address *