CANON GARLAND AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1914, Page 6

CANON GARLAND AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Canon Garland, who occupied the pulpit at the Kent-terace Presbyterian Church .lasf. evening, said that, over since Sir Charles Bowen had stated in 1877 that nineteen-twanticths of the people of New Zealand desired Bible reading in schools for the children, there had been continual protests from the Christian Churches as the result of tho entirely secular law which was at that time introduced by Mr. Bowen. The strongest objection to the secular system was evinced by the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church, who had withdrawn as many as possible of the children belonging to that communion and built schools to compete with the national schook. Other Christian Churches wero more loyal to the State schools system; but whilst they did not seek to wreck it, they continually endeavoured to have religious teaching restored in fcho ischoole. Concluding a forcible address, Canon Garland stated that he did not mean to convey thai, the people of New Zealand were unanimously discontented with tho entirely secular system of education ; but one section was quite satisfied with it. Mr. Jotscph M 'Cn.be addressed a meeting in Wellington on the 3rd July, 1910, and he was supported by Professor Hugh Mackenzie and other supporters of the secular system. That address was followed by tho creation of a Secular Education Detente League, with Profctuor Mackenzie as treasurer.

The committee of the Victoria Racing Club has decided to increase the stakes in many of the events set out in the calendar for 1014-16. The total increases amount to £4970. The races that have benefited most urc Uic Maiibyrnong Trial, run at the October meeting, and formerly worth £500. to which has been added" £1000, the Final Handicap (spring meeting) £500 added. Bagot Handicap (.January meeting) JSSCO, Champion Stakes (autumn meeting) £500, and Sires' Produce Stakeß (autumn meeting, 1916), £500.