BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15061, 2 August 1912, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir, —Tho campaign for tin introduction! of tlio New South Wales system of religious instruction into our .Snato schools has been commenced. Local committees oro being organised. A paid organiser lij3 b-on appointed. Para graph in;; in too novspapera has begun. Tho work of organ!sir..; is being pushed rapidly and quietly. The.ro ij i.tj, immense body of electors in thin Dominion, who aro wholly opposed to the intrusion of clerics and sectarianism info our splendid State system of secular education. They believe that the system should be kept secular and undenominational, and they mean to keep it so, and to allow the churches to do their own proper work of attending to the religious education of the children. If wo are to maintain tho present system, and resist the introduction of denomiriationalism, organisation must be met by organisation, meeting by meeting, pamphlet 'by patnphlet. Recently in Queensland the Bible in School League was (successful in carrying a referendum, on this issue, but nearly SO per cent, of the electors did not vote. The advocates of tho New South Wales system were thoroughly organised, and money was freely expended, whilst tho opponents were unorganised. Tho whole of the voters favouring the system went to tho poll, being organised, whilst if the opponents had been organised the proposal would have been overwhelmingly defeated. It affords a lesson to New Zealand. Organisation, time, and money will be needed in defence of tho present system of education. There is no time to lose. In Wellington an organisation has been started, whilst in Auckland I believo there is none. I _ shall bo clad to hear from thoso who, irrespective of creed or politics, desire to maintain the present system, and will be glad to assist in such organisation as will secure tho object ia view. Howard Elliott.' Wynyard Rx3ad, Mount Eden.