BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20599, 25 June 1930, Page 12

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

NEGOTIATIONS NOT COMPLETE STATEMENT BY MINISTER. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A report from Christchurch regarding negotiations between representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Biblo in Schools League was dealt with in a statement to-day by the Rev. E. O. Biamires (Methodist), secretary of the Biblo in Schools League. He said: " The report is correct in general, but incorrect in detail. No authoritative public announcement has yot been made as tho negotiations are not complete. It is anticipated that they may bo completed shortly. There is to be no conference next week. " The statement that Protestants will be made responsible for religious instruction is not as correct as that non-par-ticipants will not be expected to pay for what they do not approve." From inquiries made of Roman Catholic authorities it was learned that correspondence between the Biblo in Schools League and the Roman Catholic Church had takon place, but it was stated that at present matters were still undetermined as a conference was to be held. N It was stated to-day that any decision arrived at by the conference would, of course, require, the confirmation of the Presbyterian General Assembly. Similar sanction would no doubt be required by the governing bodies of the other churches

' The message from Christchurch was that provided that details were completed at a conference next week between representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bible in Schools League, the Roman Catholics in New Zealand were expected to withdraw their objections to legislation providing for systematic religious instruction in State schools. Negotiations between the two parties had been proceeding for some time, and 'the progress made suggested that a settlement might be possible. The Roman Catholic attitude, it was understood, was not antagonistic to Protestant children in the State schools being given religious instruction, provided the Protestants made themselves responsible for it. It was expected that any legislation on the mat ter would contain such a provision.