BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 24 September 1906, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. WELLINGTON, September 24. A large deputation from the Bible in Schools Referendum League waited on the Premier to-day, and urged that a Bill should bo introduced to provide for the question of Bible-reading in schools being referred to a plebiscite of the people. The questions put should bo plain and unambiguous. The League were prepared to place a text-book in the hands of the Government, but were not bound to that book. Sir Joseph Ward said he would submit the views expressed to the Cabinet. He agreed with a good many of the things said by the deputation, and believed that the younfj people of New Zealand should have a grounding of religious instruction to fit them lor the battle of life. The education system had to be safeguarded, and the Government must see to this, as a previous Government rad done. His own opinion was that the Government and Parliament would not be favorable to a direct plebiscite on the question. Any proposal for an alteration of the Syllabus should first receive the approval of the Parliament, and then be submitted to the people by referendum. If the Government once started the taking a direct plebiscite on the Bible in schools or any other question, then the people would be doing nothing else year in and year out but vote on referendums. He was rather doubtful whether much could be done this session, but would lay the _ matter before his colleagues at tho earliest possible moment.