FIRST PLACE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 70, 24 March 1914, Page 3

FIRST PLACE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

"BEFORE ANY POLITICAL ISSUE." A meeting of workers for the Bible-in-Schools League was held in St. John's Schoolroom, Willis-street, last night, Rev. Dr. Gibb presiding. A number of those present signed cards of earnestness, pledging themselves to put .Bible in schools before any political issue in the event of a Referendum Bill not being pa-ssed this session. The following resolution was passed, on the motion of Mrs. Leighton, of Hutt, ami Mrs. Barton, of Featherston : ' ' This conference ot workers, representing a league membership of 12,573 in the electorates of Hutt, Masterton, Wairarapa, Wellington faorfch, Wellington Central, Wellington East, Wellington Suburbs, and Wellington South, )^> cords its opinion, based upon close contact with the electors in canvassing, that the demand for the referendum asked for by the Bible-in-State-SchooJs League has grown 111 such intensity, and so widely, that it is no longer possible, that it should be delayed without causing serious complications- in political quarters. This conference expresses its firm conviction that the only way in which to avoid having the question involved with other political issues is to pass the Referendum Bill through Parliament this session, and have the referendum taken at the next general election. It commends to the Government the facts that the Churches comprising the league have remained unflinchingly true to the platform of the league set up by those Churches; and that the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches have, at the first opportunity in the present year, reaffirmed their adherence." It was proposed by Mr. W. Allan, seconded by Mr. W. Hopkirk, and carried unanimously, "That this conference, in considering the situation, desires to express its profound gratitude at the progress made by the movement, as evidenced in the huge-signed membership of the league, the great number of_ committees, the enthusiastic determination to secure a referendum of the question to the people, and the readiness of a large number of members of the league to sacrifice all purely political considerations, if necessary, to achieve the object in view. The conference would further express its warm appreciation of the sei vices of the organising secretary, Canon Garland, to whose skill in leadership, in untiring devotion, and absolute integrity of purpose, and action the movement is indebted in nn incalculable degree.' '