RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6004, 14 February 1881, Page 6

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR. ; Sir, —The letters that have lately appeared in your paper on this subject must have been read ivith considerable interest by many. Two things appear to be settled : First, we must have no tampering with the Act, so as in any way to interfere with its success. Second. It is necessary that some plan be hit upon, by which facilities may be afforded, where desired, for giving religious instruction. The feeling concerning the second point is so widespread and deep tliat, unless something be done to satisfy it, tlib Act itself is endangered. No practical plan appears as yet to have been suggested. The plan which I now propose will give every reasonable facility for carrying out the second ; and, by taking away all real occasion of grumbling, will tend to leave tlie Act to be worked out in its entirety. It is simply this : First. Let all the schools begin at ten o'clock in the morning, not earlier. Second. Allow the use of the school for religious instruction for an hour or so in tlie morning up to, say, quarter to ten o'clock. —I am, &c., Frank Gould.