BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS REFERENDUM LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13250, 5 April 1905, Page 3

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS REFERENDUM LEAGUE.

A public meeting was held in the Choral Hall last evening under the auspices of the Bible-in-Schools Referendum League. Mr James Allen, M.H.R., occupied the chair, and there were between 40 and 50 persons present. Apologies wore made for the absence of the Revs. W. A. Sinclair and W. Hay and Mr Duncan Wright. Tho Chairman said the meeting had been called to cultivate a public feeling in favour of a referendum on a question whicli was of deep interest to many of them. As a member of Parliament, he might ray to those who had this subject at heart that they should not bo satisfied with a general measure; they should insist upon having a specific measure. Ho said that from his experience as a member of Parliament he knew that a general measure was an easy thing to kill, and it was not an easy tiling to kill a special measure. ' •

The Rev. C. 11. Laws said the attendance at tho meeting that evening, he knew, did not represent the consensus of public opinion and feeling on tho Bible-in-schools question. He knew, from the, widespread feeling in hisowncongregation'and in hiuown Church, that there was a large body of sympathy with the cause. There were a number of things upon which they were all agreed, and one of these was that the education of the childhood of a nation was of paramount importance. There was a danger that tho education they were now giving to their children was that of cram. He had nothing to say against the efforts put forward to put into! tho child a strong intellectual life: but there was something more than intellect in man. The words "God" and "Christ" and "duty" were ivords that should be taught and understood, and the people were entitled to ask if these words were being impressed on their children. Sir Robert Peel had said that a secular education was only half an education, and that the best half was loft out. It had been said that to introduce Bible lessons into the schools would break up their education system, but ho said that, if they wished to break up the education system of this country, then tho best thing to do was to burk the Referendum Bill and burlc public opinion upon it.

The Rev. A. Hodge emphasised tho contention of the Bible-in-Schools party that all that was asked for was the right "of (ho people to say by referendum whether they wanted Biblo lessons in school or not, Ho thought it was a. very serious tiling that tho meetings called to consider this matter were so poorly attended—and he admitted that they were poorly attended,—and thev ueed not be surprised if Parliament should say that they had gone from one end of the colony to tho other, and that there was no evidence of public interest in tho question. He knew, and they all knew, that a deeper and wider interest in tho question was taken than tho attendance at the meetings indicated, and he feared that the neglect if those favourable to the movement would result in a golden opportunity being lost. The Rev. W. Scorsrie. in tT>e course of an 'loquent address, said lie wished to point out that the whole system of education in tho colonv. was based on the principles that b*<\ led ÜB.to th? Freflfh Revolution, and

by tho continuation of their secular system they were preparing the . people for a similar State upheaval. The broad face of history taught that no nation that had departed from tho basis of religion had ever mado any .progress; and, as tJio result of 30 years' secularism in their schools, they had their magistrates telling them there was no respect for an oath or for truth in their law courts. Their secularism, had brought about the decay of conscience and conviction. Moral dccaj, he contended, precede/,' material dccay, and the material decay was certain to follow.

i Mr It. A. Wright said one of the principal objections raised by - their opponents was that they wero not acting fairly to the school teachers. It was also said ,tho teachers would on all sides'avail themselves of tho " conscience" clause. He did not believe that would be the case, as lie had spoken to several teachers, who had expressed themselves as willing to teaoh Bible lessons if it was desired that they should do so. Although they had not had large attendances, lie was convinced there was much .more feeling on the matter than appeared on the surface. Ho had found that three out of five people whom he met wero in favour of the referendum. Ho had also found that, tho members of Parliament in tho district were in favour of a referendum on .the question. Messrs Arnold, Sidey, Donald Reid, Bedford, and Mr James Allen had all informed him that they were in favour of a referendum on the question, and the whole of tho Canterbury members with two exceptions were also in favour of it. Tho Rov. Mr Sutherland also spoke, and. in reference to the school teachers, ho said those who were not willing to teach what tho Stato wished should givo placo io others who would. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. A branch of the league was then formed, and the following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr James Allen, M.H.R.; vice-presidents—Revs. W. A. Sinclair, A. Hodge, C. H. Laws. W. Laycock. mid R. 11. M. Sutherland. Cr Scott, and Messrs A. S. Adams and J Inglis Wright; fceretary, Mr J. Cutriss; treasurer. Mr Geo. Rcid; committee—Revs, W, Scorgie and W. Hay, Major Cuming, Miss Moody-Bell 'and Mis Holland, Captain Stewart, Dr de Lautour, and Messrs H. H. Driver and Hutton.

Mr Jair.cs Allen, when thanking the league for electing him as its president-, said >ho would not accept the position if ho thought the league's efforts would injure the. State system of education, hut lie was convinoed otherwise, and would do what ho could to further the objects the league' hnd in view.

Tlio meeting then, adjourned with votes of thanks to the chair, the speakers, and tho organiser of the league (Mr I'. A. Wright).