BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11805, 14 December 1912, Page 2

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

(Peb Pbess Association.) AVanganui, December 13. Canon Garland is at present in Wanganui in connection with the movement to introduce the Bible into schools. He has already, addressed several meetings, I and, barring a few opponents, is reccivin- good support. Wellington', December 13. At a- public meeting .to-night Bishop Cleary dealt in detail with, seven alterations in the existing lawi for which he said the Bible-in-Scihoo'ls League was agitating. . He quoted -the texts of various laws to show that biblical l and general religious teaching formed; part and parcel of, the regular school curriculum in the various Australian States, •amd /[demonstrated that religious instruction is there-imparted by the State through State servants as a regular class •subject of the State schools. . The League demanded' in effect that the Education Act sliould be free, compulsory and narrowly sectarian, suited only for. one group of consciences. Details were also given as to 'the cost of religious teaching, for which conscientious objectors would 1 be compelled to pay tithes in the shape of taxes. Catholic teachers could not accept .the dogmatic principle of private judgment, and the discipline of their church prohibits them from reading or explaining versions of Scriptures not approved by their spiritual authority. Teachers were to be denied the rights of conscience which were accorded to the worst criminals .in; gaol. The bishop dealt with the seven proposed' changes in the law seriatim, and challenged each one. At the conclusion of the bishop's address Mr T. M. WiLford' moved and Mr J. Hutchison seconded the following resolution: "That as citizens and taxpayers of this Dominion, we pledge out-: selves to oppose the scheme of the Bible-in-Schools League as aii invasion of the eights of conscience and! inimical to_the ; real interests .of .religion and religious peace."

This was, carried practically unanimously by the 2500 people present.