BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

REFERENDUM BILL.

CANON GARLAND'S EVIDENCE.

[BY TELEGRAM.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Thursday. The Education Committee of the House, which is hearing evidence concerning the Bible in Schools Referendum Bill, after hearing Canon Garland read evidence for two hours, decided to take the remainder ot 235 pages as read. Objection was raised to a portion of the evidence, which consisted of a collection of evidence by other people. It was ultimately decided that this could be put in as an appendix. Bishop Cleary objected to Canon Garland lumping together opponents of the Bill as ono party. Professor Hunter and the Rev. Dr. Hates concurred.

Professor Hunter asked Canon Garland if his position as organiser was paid or honorary.

Canon Garland declined to answer, but. after consideration, the committee informed him he must answer.

Question of Salary.

Canon Garland : I wish to say that I fail to see what the question has to do with the petitions before tfie committee; hut, as the chairman requires an answer, I will give it, I am paid to such an extent that if I were in a position to write a cheque for .£I7OO that would represent the cost to me of holding my post. That was my reason for not answering the question. I didn't want the fact to be known.

Professor Hunter: What is the honorarium?— salary is £500. Again I protest against the question, which does not refer to anything in the petitions before the committee.

The Chairman: I must point out that I have given Canon Garland a lot of latitude, and I hope he will recognise that. Professor Hunter: Are there any other paid organisers - of the league?—We do not call them "organisers." Are there any other paid officers? Yes; we have three paid secretaries. How long have you been organiser for the Bible in Schools League?— Two or three years.

Can you give an idea of the cost of tho movement?—l can't, as I don't keep an account.

What the League Represents,

The league contends that it represents 74 per cent, of the population. Do those returns come from census returns?— Yes.

Replying to further questions/ Canon Garland said he would say that the organisation in Queensland represented between 60 and 70 per cent, of the population. That estimate was taken from the religion set down opposite the name on the census list. Professor Hunter:. Is it not a fact that the attendance is 13 per cent, of the number recorded in the census? Canon Garland, in replvinp, stated that the census returns were not representative, as many people objected to filling in the returns, and they were sent without being filled in. Circulars to Teachers. Professor Hunter then went on to examine Canon Garland in connection with the circulars sent out to teachers in Australia regarding their experience of the Bible in schools there, remarking that while there were 5000 teachers in NewSouth Wales alone, only 98 replies had been received from Queensland, West Australia, New South Wales, and other States. Canon Garland said that he did not pretend to have communicated with anything like every teacher in Australiathere were about 10.0 CO of them altogether —but he contended that the result was more satisfactory than the 11 replies received by the Schools Defence League. " I would suggest." he went on, " that the chairman of the committee should send out a circular to every teacher in Australia, and we will be prepared to abide by the result." (Laughter.) Canon Garland : Please don't let this suggestion be lost in laughter. It is made in all seriousness. Lenethy examination regarding the Wilkins circular then took place.

Queensland Presbytery. The next point touched on was Canon Garland's reference to the Queensland Presbyterian Assembly as being in favour of the Bible in schools. Professor Hunter pointed out that this decision had been arrived at by the Australian Assembly, and the Queensland Assembly had rejected the proposal.

Canon Garland : It was the decision of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and, therefore, the opinion of the church in Queensland.

Professor Hunter : Are yon aware that the Queensland Assembly twice had the proposal of the Bible in Schools League before it, and threw it out?—As a matter of fact, they were bound by the General Assembly. Professor Hunter : You have a " pledge of earnestness," I believe?— Yes. Is it not a fact that members are pledged to put this Bible in schools issue before everything else? Canon Garland replied that he did not have a enrd of membership in his possession at the moment, but he would produce one later. . Membership of League. Professor Hunter asked if Canon Carland objected to the membership of the league being investigated. Canon Garland replied that on September 1. 1913. when a deputation waited on the Prime Minister, he (the canon) had said to him that the league was willing to submit cards of membership to any inspection the Government desired or to allow any individual member of Parliament to inspect the cards. Professor Hunter : You are aware that the National Schools Defence League's petition, presented to Parliament, is open to scrutiny?l have not bothered my head about it.

The committee adjourned until 10.30 a.m. the following day.