RELIGION IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19081, 28 July 1925, Page 7

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS.

Sir, —Adverting to tho letter by " A.E.C." in Saturday's issue of your paper, I must confess that I cannot help admiring tho mental agility displayed by him as he seeks a fresh field of attack when driven from the last one, reminding one forcibly of the cabinetmaker's shop sign, " Twisting and Turning of all sorts done here." It the New Zealand Act is "very similar" and "closely resembles" the Victorian Act (with the latter's additions and broad administration) why is it that the clergymen of all denominations, who are not ono whit behind their Victorian brcthern in training and efficiency, have not tho same freedom of entrance and the same encouragement as that given in Victoria. One clergyman here, who has had experience extensively in New Zealand tolls mo that preliminary arrangements, I'cd-tape, tho feeling of being an interloper on school premises, and an explicitly secular act make a subtle, but very powerful barrier to the easy and harmonious giving cf religious instruction. Why should not this bonny country swing into line with the ideals religious instruction and slough the effete death-skin or secularism, giving timo and place on thb school curriculum tq religious instruction even if the lesser subjects on the inspector's syllabus aro given lesser time. Let discriminate principles from details. Facts are like foes, they are more dangerous when thoy aro not faced. There is no true advance toward a full orbed education where any great fact is ignored, and the potent facts of religion deroaiuL tion, as well as, if allowed, stimulating awe, wonder antf reverence, such necessary factors to a beautiful child do v "lopmont. Ivan S. Stkdbxns,