PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1944, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

HASTINGS, November 2. “There is a growing insistence, in fact it almost amounts even now to a demand, that religion should have more of its right place in our schools, and in our system of education,” stated the Rev. J. Thomson Macky, of Lower Hutt, convener of the Public Questions Committee, amid applause, at the session of the Presbyterian Assembly, in Hastings, when the question of religion in schools was discussed. Mr Macky, on behalf of the Committee, moved that “The Assembly urges the Government to accede to the growing desire that religion should have its true place in the national system of education and expresses thanks to all who are doing their best with limited facilities for Bible-teaching and religious worship that are now available.” Dr. Salmon (Dunedin) declared that while agreeing to the policy of the Government of co-operation betwen the State and private educational institutions, the Presbyterian Church should oppose direct State grants to them. The establishment o f a dual system in a sparsely populated county like New Zeland would be a retrograde step. The Committee’s recommendation was unanimously adopted.

ABORTION EVIL

“We must carry out the policy that '■ will back the Government to estab--1 lish oui' young people in homes of their own where they can live naturally and enjoy the privileges of having a family. Accomplish this ana we will find many of these troubles will fall away like dead leaves/ stated the Rev. W. Milne (Auckland) to the Assembly, when discussing the incidence of criminal abortion. In many of our crowded cities, stated Mr Milne, it was impossible for many young couples to live a natural life because they were denied the opportunity through lack of a home of their own. Putting forward the recommendation of the Public Questions Committee, Rev. J. Thompson Macky said the incidence of criminal abortion indicated a very low moral standard in the life of the community. It was most difficult to get a jury to convict in the case of abortion, arid the Committee made the following recommendation: “That the Assembly expresses its deep concern at the alarming incidence of criminal abortion and urges its people to cooperate with the Government in any endeavour that may be made to cope with this growing evil.” On the suggestion of Rev. F. C. Francis (Chrstchurch) it was decided to amend the resolution declaring abortion to be a sin against God and man. BROADCASTING SERIALS That the Assembly approach the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting, urging there should be an improvement in the quality of serials broadcast, and that they should be on the air at such times as would interfere least with home lessons of children in secondary schools, and that teachers be approached seeking their cooperation in this matter, was a resolution passed by the Assembly. There was keen discussion on a statement issued by the Public Questions Committee on the question of

Christianity and economic order. The statement was eventually approved, and recommended for study by church groups, but small sections of delegates were in opposition to it.