BIBLE IN SCHOOLS BILL

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 13 October 1932, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS BILL

OPINIONS IN UPPER HOUSE POSSIBILITY OF DISSENSION NOTICE OF AMENDMENT (3y telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. Moving the second reading of the Religions Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill in the Legislative Council to-day, Sir James Allen said the measure was -sponsored by eight ehuTCiies, which represented a vast majority of the people, in New Zealand, lhose people had a right to say their children should receive religions instruction in schools. The attitude of a considerable section of Roman Catholics towards the Bill had changed in recent years, continued Sir James, as they realised that the secular education system was a menace not -only to the community hut also to the Catholic religion. A majority of tlie Catholic hierarchy was m favour of the measure, Tlie Bill did not eliminate the Nelson system, but it was maintained that the Nelson system had failed. In 1920 there were only 20,000 children of 230,000 receiving instruction under the Nelson system-

The Hon. It, Masters : There are 58,800 to-day. PRAYER AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

Sir Janies Allen said there was a growing desire for public! gatherings, to be -opened by prayer, and surely that principle should be extended to the schools. The reading of the Bible was valuable from a literary as well as an educational point of view, and there was no doubt religi-ous teaching was needed to combat growing materialism. The Hon. J. A. Hanan said the Bill aimed a, death blow at the secular feature of the educational system. It was the duty of the State to remain neural in matters of religion. The only fair way to settle the question whether they should retain the secular system of education was by a referendum. Although teachers who objected to giving religious instruction were exempted, there was no doubt they would be earmarked and would suffer accordingly. The real place for religious instruction was at the mother’s knee, because sound religious teaching should be given in a proper atmosphere. If the Bill were passed it would open the way for grants to private schools of all denominations, and the promoters of the Bill should colitemplate the consequences of their actions. New Zealand children trained under the secular system were equal to any other children in the world, and the conduct of New Zealand soldiers had been a further vindication of the success of the system .

The Hon. D. Buddo said the was in favour of the Bible being read in the schools from a literary point of view, but he considered religious instruction would breed dissension amongst the people. In the committee stage he would move to have the provisions of the Bill narrowed down to provide for Bible reading only. The debate was adjourned and the Council, rose at 4.30 p.m.