BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 16

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

CRITICISM OF THE BILL. " DELUSION AND A SNARE." ATTITUDE OF MR. V. H. POTTER. "I liavo never known a moro hypocritical bill to be brought before Parliament," remarked Mr. V. 11. Potter, Reform candidate for Eden, when questioned on his attitude toward tlio Religious Exercises in Schools Bill at Mount Kdcn last evening. Mr. Potter said lie definitely favoured (lie use of I lie Bible in schools 1 Hit, (ho bill introduced by Mr. Isitt had not contained one inspiring clause. The Bible was regarded more as a means for educating children in grammatical forms and English diction. According (o the bill (ho teacher would not lie allowed to explain the real meanings and significance of (ho contents. If (ho Bible, were to bo introduced into the schools it would have to be taught without reservation. The Nelson system was strongly advocated by the candidate. Under this (he children attended the classes and were exempted on the written application of their parents. Two schools in Auckland were already practising this scheme and Mr. Potter said attendances in each case were 98 and 96 per cent, of (he pupils. The headmasters reported the system was quite satisfactory, and that, there was no call for a change. '1 he present bill was a delusion and a snare, const it a mockerv in ( lie reservations and conditions laij down. Me would never favour any to introduce the Bible into schools and never permit it to be (aught and explained as it should be. (Applause.)