LABOUR AGAINST REFERENDUM.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 195, 23 October 1925, Page 4

LABOUR AGAINST REFERENDUM.

(To the Editor.)

Sir —The New Zealand Labour Part}* candidates have pronounced against a* vote of the people being taken on the* Bible in Schools question; this action* proves that they do not- represent true* democracy in New Zealand, becaGretxß they are afraid to trust the people" ■ Sir, the home of the Referendum isß in Switzerland, and in 1882 that coun-B try took a Referendum on the proposal* to remove religious instruction from* the schools, but the proposal was re-H jeeted. Catholics and Protestants* united to vote“No,” the minority be-B ing German Radicals, Freethinkers and* Socialists. In South Australia, Vic-H toria and Queensland, the question of] Bible reading in schools was submitted] to a Referendum. This year, one of ] the Baltic States decided the question | of religious instruction in schools by al vote of the people. In 1901., 1903 1 and 1904 the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, I the leader of the Liberal Party in New I Zealand, introduced a General Refer-1 endum Bill,' which would include the I Bible in Schools question. In 1905 a Bible in Schools Plebiscite Bill was also introduced by Mr T, R. Sidey, M.P. What is the matter with the Labour Party when it wishes, not only to prohibit, as in Russia, the Bible in the schools, hut it also desires to prohibit the people from having a vote on same? It is a sign of weakness, and also ignorance of the ReferendH*ftprinciples, for the Labour Party • to take refuge behind.the excuse that a vote cannot be taken on a religious question. 'What will Bible reading in schools mean? It means lettingy the children know it is wrong to steal, to lie, to dishonour the Sabbath, and right to honour their parents, to love mankind, to care for the sick, feed the hungry and clothe naked; since that is the Bible religion. I" say we "want a little of it, as it is true Social-? ism. In the United States of America under the Initiative, Referendum and Recall Acts, a vole may he taken on Bible reading in schools.' -. Trusting voters will spurn candidates who are afraid to allow the people a vote on Bible in Schools, which would mean much for' the children’s moral welfare, the Labour Party may have my. name. —I am, etc., — ■ A NEW ZEALANDER. Wellington, October 15, 1925. ...