BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 14

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—The New Zealand Association for tho Advancement of Rationalism is of opinion, based on legal advice, that schools which do not conduct the Nelson system on a purely voluntary basis, and outside school hours, are acting ultra vires. It is the intention of tho association to take action in all such cases. In view of the report in the Herald of February 1/, tho association has written to the Minister of Education directing his attention to the fact that in tho Ponsonbv, Richmond Road, Curran Street-and Bayfield schools a system of religious instruction has been introduced that is a. violation of the provisions of tho Education Act, to wit, 0110 half-hour's religious lesson a week is given to children of tho fourth, fifth and sixth standards, children being exempted from attendance only at the written request of their parents. Tho provisions of tho Education Act, 1008, referred to are section 145, clauses (a), (b) and (c). Clause (a) sets out the subjects of instruction, of which religious exorcists is not one. Clause (b) states "the school shall bo kept open five days in each week for at least, four hours, two of which in tho forenoon and two in the afternoon shall be consecutive and the teaching shall bo entirely of a secular character." Clause (c) sets out that tho school may bo used for other purposes "on days and at hours other than those used for school purposes." The association has asked the Minister to " take prompt steps to bring about a cessation of this illegal practice or direct a prosecution against the person or persons offending." Copies of the letter have been sent to tho headmasters of the schools concerned. I have to state that in tho event of such action not being taken by tho Minister, Supreme Court proceedings will be instituted by this association. Meanwhile it is tho opinion of tho association that no headmaster _or other teacher may legally associate himself or herself officially with those exercises either in the way of handing over assembled classes to tho religious instructors, or permitting such exercises in school hours, or in calling a roll prior to such exorcises, or in any way requiring from parents or pupils that tho latter should attend such exercises. It is the intention of the association to join any teachers so acting as defendants with other persons concerned in any legal action it may~tnke. G. A. Rawson, .Organising Secretary,