RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN MAORI SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 97, 19 January 1924, Page 6

RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN MAORI SCHOOLS

INFLUENCE OF THE EARLY MISSIONARIES Addressing the annual conference of the Native School Teachers’ Association at Auckland Mr. McFarlane, the president, referred to the members responsibility for the moral instruction of their pupils. . He contended that a properly-organised system of religious instrucrion should be introdneed. He indicated (reports the Herald”), how the work and influence of the early missionaries had been a powerful factor in bringing about the colonisation, of New Zealand. 1 The position is hard to understand, said the president. “The majority of the holders of scholarships and free places enter secondary schools, where religious instruction figures on the syllabus, hut in the case of secondary schools for Maoris the subject is waived I am of opinion that, notwithstanding the controversy in connection with the public schools, the Department should be asked to agree to the introduction of religious instruction in all Native schools.”