BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 257, 13 October 1932, Page 8

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

BILL BEFORE UPPER HOUSE

SPONSORED BY EIGHT CHURCHES

DEBATE ADJOURNED.

. Wellington, Oct. 12. Moving the second reading of the Religious Ifistruction in Schools Enabling Bill in the Legislative Council to-day. Sir James Allen said that the measure was sponsored by eight churches, which represented the vast majority of neopie in New Zealand. These people had the right to say that their children should receive religious instruction in schools The attitude of a considerable section of Roman Catholics towards the bill had changed in recent years, as they realised that the secular education system was a menace not only to the community but also to the Catholic religion. The majority of the Catholic hierarchy were in favour of the measure. The bill did noj eliminate the Nelson system, but it was maintained that the Nelson system had failed. In 1920 there were only 20,000 children out of 230,000 receiving instruction under the Nelson system. The Hon. R. Masters: There are 58,800 to-day. Sir James Allen said there was a growing desire for public gatherings to be opened by prayers, and surely that principle should be extended to schools. The reading of the Bible was valuable from the literary as well as the educational point or view, and there was no doubt that religions teaching was needed to combat growing materialism. The Hon. J. A. Hanan said that the bill aimed a death blow at the secular future of the educational system It was the duty of the State to remain neutral in matters of religion. The only fair way to question whether they should retain the secular system of education was by referendum. Although teachers who objected to giving religious instruction were exempted, there was no doubt that 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 the 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 contemplate the consequences of their actions. New Zealand children trained under the secular system were equal in intelligence and moral character 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 that he was in favour of the Bible being read in schools from the literary point of view, but he considered that 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 when the Council rose at 4.30.