BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20257, 17 May 1929, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DISCUSSION BY TEACHERS,

DIVERSITY OF. OPINIONS^

MOTION FOR BALLOT DEFEATED,

Proposals for the introduction of tha Bible in schools have been again placed before the annual conference of the Nev? Zealand Educational Institute. A motion thafc a postal ballot be taken amongst teachers on the subject was defeated, a3 was also a remit to the effect that some form of Bible instruction was essential.

Mr. 11. J. Jones (Horowhenua), in moving that some form of Bible instruct tion was essential in the schools, said that tho conferences in the past had not been representative of the views of tha teachers when it came to Bible ig schools.

Tho motion was seconded by Miss C. Edmcd.

Mr. C. L. Malone (Hawke's Bay) said that his branch had instructed him to op. pose the motion. He moved an; amendment that a committee be appointed to consider existing facilities for Bible read* ing in schools. Tho amendment, which was sccocded by Mr. H. L. Wilson (Rangitikei), wag lost by a largo majority. Mr. L. F. da Berry (Otago) said ho hoped the conference would take its courage in its hands and express an opinion clearly and plainly upon the question. In past debates the issue had always been clouded. They owed it to themselves as a body of professional men and women to say plainly whether they wera iri favour oi the introduction of the Bible or not. He believed that afc the present time teachers -were making use of that great Book, but were not being quite open and frank about it. Their work to be of any value at all must bo suffused with the spiritual power. He believed Jthat the churches to-day had lost their great position in the training of the emotions. The picture palaces had captured it. They had discovered that the child had a body. Now was the time to realise that it also had a soul. Tbe literary Point of View. <

Mr. C. H. Paine (Oroua) said that from a literary point of view the Bibla should be one of the authorised books, but not in its present form. They could not afford to be without some carefullyedited children's edition of the Bible ia the schools. Mr. C. W. Boswell (Auckland) said ha was not at all sure that Bible reading in the schools was essential, but he waa sure that it was desirable. He moved that the motion be altered accordingly. Mr. 0. L. Watson (Marlborough) seconded the amendment, which was lost by 52 votes to 29.

The motion was lost on the voices, no division being called for. Mr. G. J. Goldsman (Masterton) moved: " That, having regard to the important influence of the subject on tha welfare of the child life and ultimately on the national life of New Zealand, and viewing the pronouncement of the annual meeting of the institute as not fully representative of the opinion of the teachers on the subject, this branch of the institute is of opinion that a postal ballot on the subject of Bible in schools, as promulgated by the bill last before Parliament, be instituted and earned out by the institute, amongst its members.'-' Mr. T. Taylor (South Taranaki) seconded the motion, and stated that he wa3 satisfied the conference did not represent the views of the teachers of New Zealand on the subject. The only way to obtain their opinion was by means of a secret ballot. Apathy of Many Teachers. Mr. E. V. Hudson (Auckland) said ha hoped that, if the secret ballot disclosed that the majority were opposed to tha introduction of Bible reading in schools, it would be kept oS the order paper for a good many years.

Miss K. Turner (North Canterbury) said she was afraid that a good number of teachers would fail to record their votes. There was the danger of apathy; which could not be disregarded. A delegate said that, if some of the teachers were so apathetic as not to vote then their opinion was not worth seeking. Mr. A. Murdoch (Wellington) said the question was one of conscience, and he had no hesitation in saying that a secreb ballot was absolutely unreliable. Mi*. F. E. Blakey (Auckland) said ha thought the conference shoud dispose oS the matter. He was not in favour ot referring it back to the branches. The motion was lost.