BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 16

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

MOTHERS* UNION PROTEST "INSULT TO CHRISTIANS" The council of the Mothers' Union, representing between two and three thousand members in the Auckland Province, has protested to the Government against its intention to withdraw from the school committees the right to allow the daily opening of the primary schools with religious exercises. The protest is made on the grounds that the proposed action is directly contrary to true democratic principles; that it is directly opposed to the wishes of the majority of the parents whose children attend the primary schools; that it is directly opposed to the best interests of the children attending couhtry schools, where it is impossible for the Nelson system to be thoroughly worked, and that it is a definite insult to the Christian religion and its professors in this country. A protest in similar terms has been made by the council of the. Girls' Friendly Society.

ACTION BY CHURCHES

RESOLUTIONS OF PROTEST

Resolutions concerning the proposed amendment of the Education Act affecting religious exercises in schools continue to be forwarded to the Government.

The Auckland Methodist Ministers' Fraternal resolved that, "While approving in general of the suggested provisions in the new Act now being prepared concerning religious instruction in schools, it strongly urges that the present facilities for daily fiveminute religious exercises be continued."

A resolution similar to that carried in other Anglican churches was passed by the congregation of St. Mark's, Remuera.