BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 31 October 1914, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT. (United Press Association.) WELLINGTON;, Oct. 30. Reporting upon the petitions of the Rev,. Professor W. 11. HeSvitsou and bthers Objecting to .certain provisions bHityodifed 'in the Religious iilstructioii in Schools Referendum Bill, the Education Committee of the House of Representatives states: —"The committee has heard evidence on the subject matter of these petitions, much latitude being allowed witnesses in the desire to get aIL facts, and is of opinion that the NewZealand State 3yste.nl of free, ,secu { lar and cpihiJhl&ciry education, nuclei- wliil-li otif ■children have received incalculable benefits, and under which, after 37 years' experience, our people, the immense majority of whom have passed through our schools, compare most favourably,' morally, socially and religiously, with the people of any other part of the world, should be maintained. Further, the cominitteo. is fuJly alive, to _the value of Biblical and Religious insti'iictipii. and is of opinioit that full opportunity should be given for tlie adoption of a voluntary system, such as that- known as the Nblson system, in which tho teaching is imparted outside the statutory school hours, under which the State exercise no authority.in religious matters, and under which there is no compulsion or violation of rights of conscience." Reportingupon the petition of August Ifromoilt and others* praying that the Religious liistt'uction in Schools Referenduiii Bill be not passed, the Education corrmittee states: —"The committee is of opinion that the proposals in the Religious Instruction in Schools -Referendum Bill, introduced this session by the Hon. James Alien, should not be allowed to becotno law."