BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 2029, 19 September 1913, Page 5

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

LEAGUE DEMONSTRATION. FATHERING OF WOMEN. There was a good attendance of ladies at the Bible-in-Schools meeting, held in the Municipal Hall yesterday afternoon, Mr E. H. Orabb presiding. The chairman said that the Bible-iin-Sdhools movement hadhissym? patfry. Rev. Doull said it was fitting that they si ould nave presiding over the meeting one of the pnblio men of the town as t e matter before them was a pnblio one. Mr Donll contended that the oonsoienoe clause excuse was a rather ridiculous one. He favonre > ministers or accredited substitutes having an opportunity of instructing their own children in the "faiths of their fathers." A movement Had beeu going on for some time for a referen um. The question could not be satisfactorily settled without a referendum. Sooner or later this question woold have to come before the people. The Premier's reply to the recent deputation was discouraging. The signatures cf 111,000 people had been obtained in New Zealand favouring Bible-in-Schools. This represented 20 per cent and he felt sure when this was brought forciby before the Premie? he will realise there was something behind the movement He felt burb when a deputation went down, probably before next session with over 200,000 signatures the Premier would introduce legislation The League would continue to get aignatues throughout the Dominion. The movement required more workers. Another twelve months w old show what a*i immense movement this was.

A LADY SPEAKER Mrs Jas Young sai l it wo 1' be necessary to aroaes the men of Palmerston to CRks more interest in the movement. One woul<l think the men had not a particle of interest in the m vement, whereas it was of vital importance to them The danger ahea i of t e children was a spirit al one an 1 as a number of people did not see the oangir, id not, therefo o, realise it 1 ? importance. A MI9SIONEK. The Rev. Don said t'e system had proved satisfactory in other,, plac?s, and the people shoold have no doabt regarding its socces in N Z. Wnen a hard-hea ed boty like the Presbytery of Dunedin was convered to the value of Bible teaching in schools it should be proof that there was something pood in it. The speakei at one tirn* ha' hal doubts himself. But he had visited N.S.W., and had seen the system himself. It* worked admirably. It was far from creating sectarianism. So far no appeals had been to the Board. There was no element of sectarian bitterness either amongst the ministers or the children. They taugot together in the same schools and a Methodist minister would teach c'lil reu from several denominations. In o«e iustance t e Presbyterian minister ha t been so busy that he allowe* theCcngregationalisfc minister to teach his children. Mr Don had been through these gcncols, an' had seen how satisfactory the system worked. ANGLICAN MINISTER.

The Rev. Kosher said he could put the situation iD three "Wanted more grit.'" That was what was the matter. It was tne work of every mother in Pamerston to push on this work Directly the people realised that this was a vital cause affecting the welfare of the Dominion then something tangible would be done. lie wonld pat the question to the mother: Did they tnink the mothers of to-day were like tne goo i ol« type of mothers of thirty or forty years ago irrespective of how bright and cheerful they uiigut be. They were out f< r a referendum, an» they were going to get it. (Applause.) If they were going to see t'us matter through each individual wonld have to say "This is my individual job." T'»e following resolution, proposed bv Mrs Crabb, and seconded by Mrs Wallace, of the Salvation Army, was carrio i unanimo .sly : That this mass meeting of the mothers of Palmerston North assembled in the Municipal Hall as a demonstration in support of the Bible in State Schools League of N. /« cordially endorses the objective of the Leagne, and pledges itself to do all in its power to secure a referendum on the question.

It further requests the Government at the earliest opportunity t i grant to the people of the Dominion toe necessary legislation which will enable them to say with regard to the question what they wish to be done in their schools supported bv their money and attended by their children.