THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 10

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

CONTROVERSY IN WAMGANU!. ATTITUDE ; OF THE BOARD. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI. Monday. The Bible in schools controversy has drawn from Mr. W. A. Collins, chairman of the Education Board, a reply to the allegations made against his administration. Concerning the board's attitude in closing the schools to Bible reading other than before or after school, he explains that in October, 1924, the board refused the request of two schools for permission to give Bible instruction during school hours, and the board also declined to allow an alteration to be made in the ordinary school hours to permit of this instruction being given. It intimated, however, that it had no objection to that course being taken in the schools out of school hours. The subject was not again discussed by the board until August last, when Hunterville asked for permission to devote twenty-five minutes to Bible lessons on one day a week, the time to be made up by extending the school hours by five minutes a day. The board refused the request. A deputation from HuntervilJe waited on the board and during the interview it was' stated that Bible lessons were being given in the Wanganui schools and that the school hours ~ had been altered to permit of this being done. Investigations were made and it was found that in two schools religious instruction was being given by ministers from 9 to 9.15 a.m. on one day a week, and that the time thus spent was made up by curtailing the children's lunch hour. This arrangement was not in accordance with that approved by the board. Having refused the requost of the Hunterville people, as well as the requests of two other schools in 1924, the board, to be consistent, had no option but to make its decision apply to the whole of the schools in the district. . "The statement made by the Bibla in Schools Association that they have been kicked out of the schools is ' contrary to fact," added Mr. Collins. "The schools are open for them any time they wish, but outf>ide school hours." * ■