BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19289, 30 March 1926, Page 14

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

MEETING OF OPPONENTS. SIR ROBERT STOUT'S VIEWS. HISTORY OF SECULAR SYSTEM. The assertion that the introduction of Bible, reading in schools would engender sectarian strife and disturb the harmonious relations of the past fifty years, was made at a public meeting held last evening under the auspices of the State Education Defence Loaguo, the aim of which is to opposo any alteration in the secular status of the State schools. Sir Robert Stout, who presided, said it was appropriate that Auckland should move in this matter. The Education Act of Auckland, passed by tho Provincial Council in 1872, prescribed secular education in schools, and the present Act was in some respects not so good. The Education Act of Auckland, Sir Robert recalled, stated that there was to be no religious teaching whatever in school hours in any school buildings. With the abolition of the provinces an Education Act for the whole colony was necessary, and in .1877, by a majority of twenty votes, an Act was passed with a provision making education purely secular. That was the law to-day. On what grounds was it sought to destroy the system that had endured for nearly fifty years? Sir Robert quoted statics to show that New Zealand's crime record was much better than that of countries where religious instruction was given in schools. He referred also to independent testimonies to the fact that the conduct of New Zealand soldiers durinj the recent war was unsurpassed. If th? result of fifty years went to show thai New Zealanders had the highest character, why alter the law ? If the State, was to become a religious instructor, Sir Robert claimed that the teaching must not bo confined alone to children; there must, be'a State church. The proposal embodied in the Bill intro duced by the Hon. L. M. Isitt really meant that State servants would be called upon to act as clergymen. Sir Robert's view was that, if parents desired religious instruction for their children, it was the duty of those parents to give that in struction or to employ special teachers for the purpose.

"Is the reciting of a prayer or the read ing of a passage from the Scriptures going to work a miracle?" asked Sir Robert. "] venture to say that the introduction of religious instruction into schools will make fights and quarrels. The only thing that welds a nation together is love among its people." Speeches in opposition to the introduction of the Bible into the schools were also made by Messrs. A. Hall Skelton, 0. Mcßrine, C. E. Major, and Pastor L. Curran, representing the Seventh Da\ Adventists. Mr. Major said it was proposed to ascertain the views of all the teachers in the Auckland Province on the question. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Sir Robert Stout for his review of the events leading to the birth of the secular system of education in New Zealand.