THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15645, 26 June 1914, Page 8

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

BILL EXPECTED TO-DAY.

NOT A PARTY QUESTION,

HOUSE TO DECIDE THE ISSUE

[BT TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL COBRESPOSDEXT.]

Wellington, Thursday. There was a stir of interest in the House of Representatives to-day, when the Hon. Jas. Allen intimated that he would move next sitting day for leave to introduce the Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill. A passage in the Governor's Speech had indicated that a Bill would be introduced this session, but- the remarkable promptitude shown in tho matter camo rather as a surprise. It is thought not unlikely that the Bill may be circulated to-morrow,

Tho Prime Minister informed your representative this opening that the Bible-in-schools referendum was not going to bo made a party question- "We have pledged ourselves," he said, "to give members of Parliament an opportunity of voting upon it, and the Hen. Jas. Alltn will havo charge of tho Bill for that purpose."

More than this Mr. Massev declined to say, but tho attitude taken up by the Government implies that it will not insist upon any particular form of ballot paper. The Bill being' a non-party one the form of ballot paper which it is to provide will naturally be determined by weight of voting in the House, and each member will bo free to vote as his pledges or individual opinion may dictate. While some members are maintaining a cautious silence as to their attitude upon the Bible-in-schools question, there are a number,' and these of divergent views,, who make no secret of their belief that the Referendum Bill has extremely good prospects of being passed by the House.