BIBLE IN SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 11

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Progress of Work

There was a good attendance of members at the social hall of the Y.M.C.A. on Monday evening for the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Bible in Schools League. Rev. N. F. E. Robertshawe, who presided, referred to the increased effectiveness of the organisation and ■ the advance made in the last year. “While New Zealand had taken over much that was good in the British systems of education,” he said, “what was considered by many as most vital was left out, namely, the religious background to primary education. Those who think most deeply are convinced that a great change is needed in the educational processes applied to young New Zealand. Some recent Press articles give clear evidence of a growing consciousness of this fact. There is going to be a greater demand than ever for definite religious associations with education. The English newspapers reveal great encouragement of religious teaching in State or council schools by leading educationists. While the Winchester School Board could be specially cited, it is pleasing to note that every board is encouraging the giving of a definite religious setting to the whole school course. There is hardly a boy or girl in England passing through the primary schools who does not receive therein some years of general religious instruction.”

Miss M. McLean, ex-principal of the Welliugton Girls’ College, who has recently returned from a lengthy visit to England, in answer to a question, said that on the whole there was there a strong, wholesome attitude to religious teaching in schools. The annual report referred to a successful demonstration in the Town Hall, attended by 1700 citizens of Wellington, in support of the “Religious Instruction in Publie Schools Enabling Bill.” Regular bi-monthly meetings of the local executive had been instituted, with an average attendance of nearly twenty since the work had been reorganised. A tribute was paid to the long association with the movement of the past Bishop of Wellington, and the late Rev. Dr. Gibb, also to the work of the secretary, Rev. S. J, Campbell, now removed to Auckland. A large number of meetings and services had been addressed by the organising secretary, and many local organisations were now represented on the Wellington executive as the result. Three after-church rallies had been held, and a deputation of very representative character received last November by the Presbyterian Assembly .in Wellington. Under the Nelson system the work was being steadily extended, and approximately ten thousand children were receiving instruction every week in the Wellington area, mostly in towns and cities. The country schools are largely untouched, and "further facilities are. required,” the report concludes, “if the wishes of parents and the needs of the pupils are to be adequately met.” The balance-sheet showed a credit ot £B/12/5, after local expenses had been met and -ES9/3/5 paid to the Dominion account. . . > e _ The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Rev. Canon P James (Vicar-General of the Diocese of Wellington): vice-presidents. Revs. N. F E. Robertsbawe. F. C. Long. J. R. Blanchard, B. Kilroy. P. R. Paris, H. W. Newell. J. Boulton Smith. Pastor Saunders. Major J. Nelson. Messrs. G. A. Troup, L. F. de Berry, and Miss M. MeLenn ; seeretarv-treasurer. to be appointed bv the executive, the organising secretary.’ Rev. E. O. Binmires, to act pro teni: executive committee, the officers (R p v. \ F E Robertsbawe. chairman), with Levs. A. A. Armstrong. W. Gilmour. W. Parker, Pastor Carpenter. Lieut.-Col. Burton, Mr. anil Mrs. C. T. Jeffreys, Mr. R. G. Denton and representatives appointed by allied organisations.