BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14971, 19 April 1912, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

CHURCHES TAKING UNITED ACTION. A LARGE LEAGUE FORMED.. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CapasTCuxTßcn, Thursday. A coxw:uk.vcb of representatives of tho various churches in New Zealand was held to-day in regard to tho- Biblo in schools question. The following- representatives wero present: —Anglican Church: Tho Primate. Bishop Neville (in tho chair), Dean yitchctt; Dean Harper, Archdeacon Harper, and Canon Curringt.cn, Revs. Burton, rurcluis, and Hemland. Presbyterian Church: Tho Revs. Dr. Gibb (Wellington). Davis (Dunedin). Tait and Mackenzie (Christchureh). Methodist Church : Tho Revs. Laws, Rothwell, Buttle, Lawn-, and J. A. Fleshcr. Primitive Methodist: The Rev. Henderson The Conference was'convened as tho result of an informal conference . held in Christchurch in Juno, 1911. It wits reported to tho Conference that the Anglican Synod, tho Presbyterian Assembly, and the Methodist Conference had formally accepted tho main principles of tho New South Wales system, and had empowered their delegates to enter into negotiations for a conference, and joint action with the representatives of other denominations. It was moved by Dean Fitchett, and seconded by Dr. Gibb, and carried, "That tho general statement of policy aflinned by resolution at the last conference bo reaffirmed, and that tho Conference constitute itself ft league to carry the resolution into effect." The resolution referred to. is as follows: -—"That this conference approves of tho general principles of tho system of religions instruction which obtains in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and 'West Australia, and commends it us tho only practical solution of the problem of religious instruction in the State schools of New Zealand." On the motion of Dr. Gibb, seconded by. Mr. Davis, it was resolved that, tho league bo known as the Biblo in State Schools League of Now Zealand, and that all Biblo in State .schools organisations already in existence bo invited to incorporate with the new league. It was decided that tho headquarters of the executive be for the present in Christchurch. It was agreed that tho policy of the league lx) to appeal to the Legislature for a referendum to bo carried out on tho lines of the Queensland referendum in 1910. The question of appointing an organising agent was referred to tho executive with power to act. The following officers wore appointed : President: Bishop NeviU;- vice-presi-dents: tho Anglican Bishops, tho Moderator of the General Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church, the Presidents of tho Methodist and Primitive Methodist Conferences, the officer commanding the Salvation Army in Now Zealand, the chairman of the Congregational Union (subject to his consent), Dean Fitchett, Dean Harper, tho Revs. Dr. Gibb, 11. E. Davis, I. .Tolly, the Methodist chairmen of districts, and the chairmen of local branches of tho league. Tho Rev. J. Mackenzie was appointed secretary pro torn. A committeo was appointed to approach tho various local clergymen and laymen, with a view to securing their services on tho executive. Tho general feeling of tho conference was that tho meeting represented an epoch in tho history of the movement, and that tho time was ripo for an appeal to public opinion on tho whole question.