BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 32, 1 November 1928, Page 13

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sir,—Are you in a position to inform the electors of. the Dominion what the official attitude of the Reform Party is on the Bible in State Schools issue I A fortnight ago, on behalf of the. National Schools’ Defence League, I communicated with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and Sir Joseph Ward, asking as to whether “the maintenance of the present free, secular, and compulsory system of education” was included in their respective political “platforms. Since then, the Labour Party and the United f’arty have publicly announced the retention of the present free, secular, and compulsory system of education, as officially included in their platforms; but neither Prime Minister nor members of his Laitj have, so far, indicated what the official party attitude on the question is. Can the electors, therefore, take it tor granted (as the vote in the House ou the Isitt-Holland Bill would seem to justify them in doing) that the Retorm Party stands for the introduction ot “religious exercises” into our * official State system of education? That is to say. the Reform Party is not prepared to accept a solution of the problem on the lines of the so-called Victorian, or Nelson system, but insists on a solution on the lines of the Isitt-Holland Religious Exercises in States Schools Bill a Bill which would make religious exercises (an official part of the State system) conducted by State servants at the public expense, and without making any concession in the shape of State aid to the schools or institutions run by religious bodies who are unable to avail themselves of the official State religious exercises.” Surely, sir, the elee-, tors have, at least, a right to know where the Prime Minister and his Party stand on the (We are not aware of any change in the attitude of the Government on this subject.]