IN OTHER CENTRES

Evening Star, Issue 20864, 6 August 1931, Page 12

IN OTHER CENTRES

BIBLE; IN SCHOOLS. OBJ ECTING DEPUTATION. ( [L’kou Gun Paruame.ntarv Reporter.] WELLINGTON. August 6. Strong objection to the principles contained in the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill was voiced by a deputation representing the National Schools’ Defence; League, which waited this morning ■ upon Messrs Forbes and Atmore. It was submitted by the deputation that the proposed conscience clause would operate unfairly, and that the system proposed in the Bill' would open the door tc the establishment of denominational schools. In his' reply, Mr Forbes said that, while appreciating the trouble the deputation had gone to in presenting its ease, ho did not desire to comment on the issue at the moment, as the Bill was before a Select Committee of the House. The deputation included Professors W. M. Gould, IT. Mackenzie,, and Kirk, and the Hon. J. A: Hanan, M.L.C., (a former Minister of Education). GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE. MINISTER CORRECTS REPORT. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Augunt G. ■ A statement by Sir Apirana Ngata (Minister in charge ol the Government Life Insurance Department) runs; “My attention has just been drawn to a Press Association message which credits me with having stated in the discussion in the House on the report of the Government Life Insurance Commissioner that the department ‘ had difficulties in respect of meeting interest charges and such. J have been misreported in this matter. What 1 intimated was (m reply to a remark by the Loader ol the‘Labour Party regarding some ot the unemployed who had difficulty' 1,1 paying their life insurance premiums) that the department had its own difficulties. and found trouble in collecting its interest charges. To say that .such a nourishing institution as the Government Life Insurance Department had difficulty in meeting interest charges is absurd in the extreme, particularly as it has no such charges to meet. I think it necessary to clarify the position, as there are opponents of the office over ready to seize upon anything which they consider will in any way retard the great progress it is undoubtedly making.”