BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21857, 20 July 1934, Page 13

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

PROSPECTS OF BILL VOTE TO BE FACILITATED MATTER FOR PARLIAMENT [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday With the object of persuading the Government to grant facilities for the passage of the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill, a large deputation waited on the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, to-day. The deputation represented 26 organisations, including the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Congregational Churches, and Mr. 11. Holland, M.P., who is in charge of the bill in the House of Representatives, introduced the delegates. The Rev. N. H. Robcrtshaw, representing the Anglican Church, explained some of the difficulties attached to the Nelson system of religions education, which, he said, had been gradually extending throughout the Dominion. Under this system instruction was not given during school hours and some teachers were finding it difficult to attend at schools to take classes. The bill now before Parliament gave a different meaning to religious instruction. It would bring the best portions of the Bible to the children in a way which would make a lasting and salutary impression on them. The bill was a liberal one. It made provision for the exemption of teachers and children who did not wish to take part in religious classes. Mr. Robcrtshaw said those teachers who refrained from taking part would not be handicapped when it came to promotion—there was no question of that. Mr. G. A. Troup, representing the Presbyterian Church, said that in the past the Presbyterian Church had not been unanimous on such bills, but on this occasion not one dissentient note had been struck in consideration of the bill. The bill was so reasonable that it was almost impossible to object to any part of it. It was becoming increasingly recognised that there must be some religious basis for life. Since education played such a large part in life, it must be seen that it should not be purely secular. One must not ignore the moral and spiritual side of education.

Mr. Forbes said the question of Bible-reading in schools had always been left for the decision of the people. Members of Parliament generally came to the House pledged one way or the other and the question usually boiled down to whether the Dominion's education system should remain secular or not. Mr. Forbes said he had always supported the present secular system. "I can assure members of the deputation that nothing will be done in the House to prevent members from discussing the bill or to prevent them from voting on it," said Mr. Forbes. "This question has always been left entirely to Parliament. It has never been regarded as a Government measure. In this case the same principle will apply and, Parliament will have full opportunity to decide."