RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 10

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

'. ANGLICAN PRIMATE'S APPEAL. I PEE FHEBH ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, May' 1. A pastoral letter calling on all members of the Anglican Communion to take a positive and decisive stand for the recognition of God in public schools is being issued by Atchbmhop Averill and is to be read in. all Anglican churches in the Auckland diocese next Sunday. In response to an inquiry the Archbishop has received from the Minister for Education (Hou. P. Fiaser). a. declaration of his intentions concerning religious exercises in schools. The Minister • says: "Clause 39 of the Education Amendment Bill proposes to give statutory opportunity for the Nelson system of religious instruction and provides for the ordinary opening time of schools being postponed or (he ordinary closing time being advanced fol' half an hour on two days of each week for lite purpose. ‘I have indicated on several octalions that. I consider the system of religious exercises introduced in recent. years under the direction of the Bible in Schools League to be contrary to the often-expressed decision of Parliament and that 1 propose to give Parliament an opportunity to de- < ide the nifltter in a definite manner. Ample oiiportunity will be given to representatives of the Bible in Schools League and all. others .interested to place their opinions before Parliament through the Education Committee of the House of Representatives before the matter is finally decided."