RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 22954, 11 May 1938, Page 16

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

SCHOOLS CONTROVERSY MINISTER TO CALL CONFERENCE [Peb United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 10. It is the intention of the Minister of Education (Mr P. Fraser) to postpone consideration of the clause in the Education Amendment Bill dealing with religious instruction in the schools and to call a conference of churches and other organisations with a view to arriving at a solution of the problem. Addressing delegates to the Educational Conferences to-day, the Minister said that the main provisions of the Bill constituted an honest effort for educational reform. Mr Fraser said he was disappointed that he had not found it possible to embody the election of boards in the parliamentary franchise, but the difficulties were great as well as the expense which would be involved. The Minister stated that many of the provisions of the Education Bill would be amended by the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The question of control would be made definite, and alterations might be made in the election of education boards and in the powers of school councils. Among the important features to be maintained were the election of representatives by the teachers, the appointment of education officers, the right of appeal against nonappointment, the raising of the school age to 15 years and a clause dealing with the employment of married women as teachers. Speaking of religious education in the schools, the Minister said: “I hope it will be possible by the exercise of goodwill and Christian forbearance and brotherhood to avoid controversy on a question that arouses feelings out of all proportion to the part it plays in our educational system.” APPROVAL OF DECISION AUCKLAND, May 10. The decision by the Minister of Education (Mr P. Fraser) to recommend that no legislative action affecting present religious exercises in State schools should be taken, pending consultation with representatives of churches and other organisations interested, was announced at a public meeting under the auspices of the Bible-in-Schools League. A telegram from the Minister was also read undertaking that the status quo would not be interfered with pending the consultations. The meeting passed the following resolution: — This great meeting of Auckland citizens, solemnly affirms that recognition of Almighty God is the cornerstone of the education system of any Christian community, and it protests against any move to withdraw even the small recognition now given it, rejoices in the decision of the Minister of Education to maintain the rights now enjoyed under the Education Act pending a conference of all parties interested in the religious education of our children, and calls on all Christian people to uphold their rights in this matter while at the same time and in all charity safeguarding the rights of minorities.