THE COUNCIL DISPOSES.

Evening Star, Issue 21240, 22 October 1932, Page 12

THE COUNCIL DISPOSES.

When the second reading of the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill was passed only by the casting vote of the Speaker in the Upper House it was plain enough that it would not get much further there, and the end was not delayed. After a first wound had been dealt by a hostile hand and Sir James Allen had failed in an endeavour to save it by a metamorphosis of its contents, the measure was withdrawn by Sir James. This was done after the degree of unity obtainable on a Bill for religious teaching had been shown by three successive divisions in which the voting was ten to ten. So ended the latest Bill prepared by the Bible in Schools League, and Parliaments of the future will be saved from one distraction if it proves a final end. That conclusivencss would be timely, because it has been noted that the virtual rejection of the measure yesterday coincided with the expiry of the Council services of Mr L. M. Isitt, who has been the most regular sponsor of such Bills. Mr Isitt’s efforts in this cause began before even he was appointed to the Council. Eight years ago, when he was member for Christchurch North, it was he who , brought forward the first “ Religious Exercises in Schools Bill.” In doing so he explained that it was not his own measure, but the product of a committee of the churches, signalising the best agreement to which they could attain. Later, when Mr Isitt made his transit to the Legislative Council, charge of similar measures in “ another place ” was transferred to his successor in the representation of Christchurch North, Mr H. Holland, while he took care of them in the calmer sphere. There was hardly a session in which they were not brought down in one House or the other, often to run a lively gauntlet, but seldom through many stages. Division of the churches themselves, it has been said by their promoters, was the main cause of their non-success, till, at long last, that division was believed to have been surmounted, only for the hope to prove delusive. The latest Bill, based on the lifeless proscriptions of its immediate predecessors—“ clouts of cauld parritch,” a former age would have called them —with now safeguards for Roman Catholics which are not judged sufficient as such, has shown no more immunity from dissensions on this question than any of its forerunners. Even the Bible in Schools League should be read\ 7 to conclude now that the way to give religious instruction in the schools, without necessarily arousing one shade of opposition, is the way of the Nelson system. In that way it is given, outside of school hours, by the clergy themselves, with no risk of strengthening claims to grants for denominational schools, which it would bo disastrous to the national system to acknowledge. At the same time that the Council has disposed of this Bill, tbo Government has disposed of the question of vacancies in the Council.

There will be no new appointments, the Prim© Minister has said, during the present session of Parliament. In that case there will be no need for new appointments till the next session is ready to begin, and by that time more expirations of service will have altered the whole position. Twentytwo members, which makes its present strength, should be sufficient for the Council.