BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13480, 3 July 1907, Page 8

BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

VETOED BY CITY COMMITTEE. The vexed question of. Bible-reading in the State schools came before the City. Schools Committee last evening. The lion, secretary of the Bible-in-Schools 'Committee, Wellington, forwarded a circular, stating that the committee, being desirous that the Bible be read in the New Zealand schools! after methods in vogue in the United States of America, Canada,, and other countries, were taking a referendum of the 1800 school committees in the colony on the question. The committee advocated that the Bible be read as a classic, no comments allowed, except geographical, grammatical and historical; the State, schoolteacher only to supervise the Bible-read-ing ; and any teacher or scholar having conscientious objection may be excused from this Bible lesson. It was proposed to wait upon the Premier during the session with reference to the movement, and the opinion of the committee was accordingly requested.

The Chairman (Mr. P. M. Mackay): 1 do not know what the committee's opinion may be, but personally I am decidedly against the proposal. Mr. G. Higgins : I also am strongly opposed to the suggestion. Members of committee (in a chorus): We all are. It is not the thing. The Chairman : It is hardly necessary to take a vote, then? Dr. Hardie Neil: You had better take our vote on it.

The Chairman : J do not think it, is necessary. However, nil in favour say '.'Aye." No response was made by the members of tlie committee.

Dr. Neil: You have the consensus of the opinion of the committee now. The chairman and secretary (Mr. Srtu.'l) were instructed to reply to the circular in (lie terms of the resolution.