BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 14

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

PROTESTANT CHURCHES TO PRESS FOR LEGISLATION [Per Ukitkd Press Association.] MASTERTON, November 5. A conference of tho representatives of the chief Protestant churches and tho executive of the Biblo-in-Schools’ League met in Wellington this week under tho chairmanship of Archbishop Avorill. The Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill is not likely to reach finality in tho present session of Parliament. It has been considered by tho Select Committee on Education, and the taking of evidence has just been completed. It was reported that the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, mid Lutheran Churches had given evidence officially in favour of the Bill in addition to tho Salvation Army, the Women’s Social Progress League, tho Auckland Sunday School Union, the New Zealand Council of Religious Education, and several leading educationists. Though tho Bill can hardly come before the House this sqssion tho churches’ conference and tho league executive intend to arrange for its introduction into the next session of Parliament, and a strong determination was in evidence to keep the matter of religious instruction in schools constantly before Parliament until a just and satisfactory solution is reached. An official statement with relation to the Roman Catholic negotiations will be issued shortly to the Press. Nearly all tho Protestant churches were represented both by clergy and laity at the conference. Arrangements are being made to circularise all congregations during the present month.