The Northern Advocate WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1913. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Northern Advocate, 3 September 1913, Page 4

The Northern Advocate WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1913. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Hitherto the question of Biblereading in State schools has not agitated the community in this part of the Dominion to any great extent. The league which seeks to secure this change in cur system of primary instruction has, however, not confined

its activities to other centres, for here, as elsewhere, supporters of the movement have been working with considerable industry, and as we are shortly to be visited by an exceedingly capable controversialist, who will address a public meeting in the Town Hall, it can be anticipated that residents of Whangarei will very soon be taking keen interest in an issue now attracting great attention elsewhere. Indeed this question of Biblereading in schools seems likely, through a combination of circumstances that are partly political and partly religious, to become the most momentous in the field of public policy. The league has been organised with exceptional skill. It now has a strong following all over the country and is pressing its demand for a plebiscite with a confidence which indicates a rather shrewd appreciation of the political situation. The objects aimed at by the league have been frequently stated. These are (1) That a Scripture reading lesson shall be given during school

hours under the supervision of the teachers and (2) that representatives of the various churches shall have the right to visit the schools during the hours of instruction and impart denominational teaching to children who may be adherents of their re-

spective churches. Now, in connection with the proposal that the question should be "decided by the people" it seems to be clear that as the objective of the league includes two quite distinct proposals it appears to be desirable if an appeal is made to the popular verdict that these should be stated separately and the electors to whom they are referred allowed to vote on each. Unless this is done dire confusion must follow, for clearly while it is reasonable to suppose that some people may be in sympathy with both proposals of the League it is equally reasonable to conclude that others may favouf only one. This question of what issues should be put to the electors seems to be just now bothering the Prime Minister—in whom, by the way, some signs of weakening can be detected. He was waited upon the other day by a deputation from the League which requested that a plebiscite be taken, and after repeating his previous statement that "no legislation would be passed this session" went on to say that he would like to have had some suggestion from the deputation as to the issue that should be put to the public vote, since he regarded this as very important. The answer given by Canon Garland is not one calculater to afford the Prime Minister much enlightenment, it being this: "That the question should include the principle that every child should be given an opportunity of reading Bible lessons and should have the right of being taught the faith of his fathers. . - that there should be

one answer. Yes or No." How many residents of this district who have expressed to the league their desire for a plebiscite on Bible-reading in Schools have even considered the form in which it is suggested the electors should be interrogated? No doubt the Rev. Isaac Jolly on his visit to Whangarei will devote some attention to this aspect of the movement he is engaged in promoting, for it is one on which Mr Massey is not the only citizen who would like to hear more about.