BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 190, 14 May 1928, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

MR. ELIOTT’S OPPOSITION TO BILL POSITION EXPLAINED Palmerston North, May 12. In explaining his attitude in connection with the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, when addressing a meeting at Whakaronga last night. Mr. J. G. Eliott, M.P. for Orotia, stated that lie had voted 'against it because lie considered its dangers were greater than the benefits which the promoters hoped to confer. Mr. Eliott entered an emphatic protest against the statement made by Mr. L. M. Isitt that those in the House had been influenced by the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church, and said that, although he had been in active opposition to the Bill, not. once had be been approached by a member of the Catholic Church or by a member of any other religious body to enter his vote against the Bill. He had opposed the Bill because it had sought to impose on teachers in primary schools a duty which in many cases would .be repulsive to them. All sects were represented in the teaching profession, and while the exercises might be conducted by some teachers with the dignity that was required, what impression would be left on the children’s minds by teachers who had no belief in that which they read. True, there had been the conscience clause whereby teachers and parents could refuse to participate, but this, he thought, would lead to intimidation and victimisation.

The clause to which Mr. Eliott had taken the strongest exception was that which prohibited the teacher absolutely from explaining the passage of Scripture read, and again lie asked what impression would be left on the children’s minds when a teacher refused to explain a meaning. Personally, said Mr. Eliott, he was a strong advocate of the Nelson system, which he thought could he extended. He hoped that those who were interested in the matter would take up the voluntary system aud give it a trial.