RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 8

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS,

THE REFERENDUM BILL.

FORM OF VOTING PAPER-

[BY telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington', Sunday, The Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill provides that a poll be taken simultaneously with the general election under tho provisions of the Electoral Act, each voter being entitled to one vote. No relcrenco is made to the majority toquired, and the assumption is that u bare majority decides. Tho form of the question set out in the schedule is as follows : —

" Religious instruction in schools referendum, scheme of instruction

"That provision ho made for the reading in public schools, within school hours, of selected Bible lessons from a reading book to be provided by t-ho Education Department, such reading to bo conducted under the supervision of tho public school teachers, but no sectarian teaching to be allowed; that provision be made for religious instruction to be given within school hours to children by a minister of their own denomination or by an accredited substitute; any parent to have tho right, if he chooses, to withdraw his child from Bible reading or from religious instruction, of from both."

The issue will bo put. in the following form

"I vote in favour of the above system.

"I voto against toe above system."

The Minister for Education must lay the result 0/ the poll before Parliament 05 the first day of tho session of 1915.

SCHOOLS DEFENCE LEAGUE.

RESOLUTIONS OF PROTEST.

[BS !2ELEQRAPII.w»PBES3 ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington-, Sunday

Tho New Zealand National Schools Defence League hold a demonstration at the Basin Reserve this afternoon, when speeches wero delivered against the proposal to introduce Biblo lessons or religious teaching into tho State schools. The following resolutions were declared carried " This meeting believes that our State constitution should guarantoo the free exerciso and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, and, therefore, most emphatically protests against tho proposal to introduce a particular form of religious instruction into our State schools by plebiscite or referendum; as the proposals of the Biblo in. Schools League involve (a) compulsion on minorities to contribute to the cost of tit religious instruction of the children of the .majorities, (b) right of entry during hpprg of compulsory attendance and consequent introduction of sectarian differences and strife into our State schools, (c) assumption of the right to compel attendance at religious lessons, (by demanding a written request from pareato for the exemption of their .children), this meeting protests strongly against such unjust and outrageous , proposals ; as teachers in our primary schools have entered tho service of the State subject to no religions test, | this meeting considers it a gross injustice and a deliberate breach of faith to compel thorn to conduct religious lessons unacceptable to the people a* a whole, denying to $hom, as teachers, what is conceded to them M parents."