RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 7

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS BILL. UPPER HOUSE DEBATE. Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. In moving the second reading of the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill, in the Legislative Council, to-day, Sir James Allen said the measure was sponsored by eight churches, which represented, the vast majority of the people in Now Zealand. These people had the right to say that their children should receive religious instruction in the schools. The attitude of a considerable section of Roman Catholics toward the Bill had changed in recent years, he said, as they realised that the secular education system was a menace not only to the community, but also to the Catliolio religion. The majority of the Catholic hierarchy was in favour of the measure, he added. The 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 out of 23,000 receiving instruction under the Nelson system. 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 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 that religious teaching was needed to combat growing materialism. Hon. J. A. Hanan said the Bill aimed the death blow at the secular feature of the educational system. It was the duty of the State to remain neutral in matters of religion. The only fair way with regard to the question whether they should retain the secular system of education was by a referendum. Although teachers who objected to give 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 the equal in intelligence and moral character of any other children in the world, and the conduct of the New Zealand soldiers had been a further vindication of the success of the system. ~ ~ , Hon. D. Buddo said he was in favour’ of the Bible being read in the 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.