The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1927. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1927. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

The report of the Committee of the House which passed judgment on the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, should go a long way in settling the question politcally. The subject matter is a very vexed one, one on which there is the sharpest division of opinion and the demand for the Bible in schools Will go on, just as the opposition to its introduction in the form desired by the special legislation, will be opposed. The subject both now and heretofore has had very much ventilation. It has been considered from every possible angle, and the conclusion will be that there is so much divergence in public opinion as expressed, that it will be wise to leave matters alone. On that account the report of the Committee is to lie welcomed as giving a lead to Parliament in the matter. 1 lie report in recommending matters being left as they are, does not desire the exclusion of the Bible from the schools. On the contrary, it favors that full opportunity he given for the adoption of a voluntary system whereby teaching of the nature desired might he imparted after or outside of school hours. This meets a very vexed situation very fairly, and is a kind of compromise which should he generally acceptable a.s a means to show or justify the claim of the advocates for the Bible in schools. It has to lie borne in mind that the foundation of the educational system in the Dominion is that it is free, secular and compulsory. Such being the case it must he kept free from the perils of creeds in regard to religious teaching. On fundamentals affecting religious beliefs even those in very high places fail to agree, so that it would be placing an undue burden on the average school teacher to expect' the Bible to be expounded with a due regard for all beliefs. Thatjvay danger would lie, though there are many other ways in which it would ho inadvisable to authorise the introduction of Bible reading. New Zealand has been remarkably free from schisms to seriously divide the people, hut it iS very much to be feared on this vexed question the germ of serious trouble would qj-ise. There are two definite camps on this question, and in both are men of high standing and confirmed convictions. They exorcise a great influence in their reportive spheres, and there is no question if favourabo legislation were passed the introduction of Bible reading in schools would he very hotly contested. It seems wise to leave tilings as they are and to leave what is well alone. The opportunity is there now for Bible reading in State schools. It is part of the school hour work in denominational schoos. The most might be made of those opportunities without causing serious trouble by any legislative'enlargement. In the State system as it stands there is the opening for much moral teaching, and this is inculcated verv generally. A clean, honest moral life is an ideal of first importance, and the.se precepts may lie taught v itliout offending any religious beliefs. The conscientious teacher in many cases would object to Bible reading in schools, and a very present difficulty would arise at once. Religious differences of opinion are so acute that trouble would begin immediately with the teachers, apart from what the parents might feel about their children receiving religious instruction. By and large, then, we have a happier condition of affairs as we are. The possibility of trouble and difficulty Is very imminent, and it were a wise course to avoid disaster. The education system has stood the storm and stress of rnanv years and justification calls for

continued confidence and support to tlio system as it stands.