BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—Mr. Norman E. Burton draws attention to the fact that the results of a referendum on above, conducted among the teachers of this education district by the State Education Defence League, have not yet been published. I may say that although no appropriate opportunity of making the results public has so far eventuated, their substance was communicated by the league, among other facts, in a circular memorandum addressed to all members of the Legislative Council and the other House, when the bill was recently introduced by tho Hon. Mr. Isitt. For the information of Mr. Burton and. others interested I have pleasure in stating that nearly 2000 voting papers were issued. There were 145 replies, of which 49 were favourable to religious instruction, and 96 against the innovation. That is.; a proportion of two to one against. Of those who did not trouble to reply, one can only conjecture that, having been brought up under a secular system themselves, they failed to realise, what a menace to peace of mind, freedom of conscience and social standing tho introduction of religion in schools might mean to them. In the absence of larger statistics and in view of the decision of the institute's executive, we may fairly assume that the above figures represent opinion among our teachers. 1 have been informed by several members of tho profession that some time ago they received queries on this question circulated by the Bible in Schools League. If this' information is correct is it not pertinent to ask the local representatives of that body why fne results of that referendum were not published ? C. E. Major.

Sir,—ln Monday's Herald Mr. Norman E. Burton adduces the conduct of the Wanganui Education Board in terminating the so-called "Nelson" system in that area, as one among a number of items in an organised attempt to frustrate tho schemes of the Bibie in Schools League. Mr. Burton resents the fact that there is considerable opposition to those schemes, and takes the tone that such opposition is somehow discreditable. The facts regarding Wanganui appear to be that in 1908 permission was given by the board for the introduction of religious instruction outside school hours. This privilege has for some time been openly abused by the instructors concerned encroaching on school hours for their work. Now the conduct of the Wanganui Board is governed by the Dominion's statutes, and it has no power to permit religious instruction in school hours while the law provides that all instruction in those hours shall be of a secular character. To end this illegal state of affairs tho chairman gave notice of a motion to entirely withdraw this privilege, and this was in dne course carried. The hysterical and uncompromising attitude of the local branch of the Bible in Schools Party during the period of the controversy, to my mind, fully justifies the action of the board in withdrawing facilities. The "hostility" in this case seems to have rested entirely with those who were infringing the laws. A.E.C.