BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15858, 2 September 1913, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER. REQUEST FOR REFERENDUM. QUESTION OF SECTARIAN STRIFE. (Pkb United Pekss Association.) WELLINGTON, Septcmbu 1 A deputation representing the Church of England, the' Presbyterian, aid' Metjiodist Churches and tile Salvation Army, waited on the Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Maascy) to-day. to urge that a Bill bo introduced lihis Session provfliiie for. a referendum at next olootion <on tire- subject, of the Bible in schools.

The Prime Minister, in replying, congratulated the .speakers on tho extremely moderate manner in which they had- expressed themselves. Ho had had an opportunity of hearing the views of the people on one. side recently, and it was only rijsht, proper, and fitting ijtat ho should' hear the views of the otKer side. There, was one point on wihioh he w not quite dear. He should havo liked to hear a suggestion from tho deputation as to the manner in which the question sftould bo put to tho electors. The point was exceedingly important, and he thought ,a very great deal would' depend upon it. Tho Government had decided that it would not submit any legislation (luring the present session with tho' object of providing for a referendum on the Bible-in-schoola question. " That dec'sion. in rty : opinion, will' not;" Mr Massey addsd. "be* altered. I am r\ot going to commit the Government for or against any proposal that may he considered next session. As far ns I am personally concenied, I am in favour of moral and religious teaching in the public sohools, but here is the point in wfcioh I may probably differ from the .deputation. I am opposed to anything which ■may introduce sectarian differences and sectarian bitterness; anything which will' in terfero With the secular system of education, and you have to convince me that what is proposed will not hire that effect before I can look favourably on your side of tho question." . /

.Canon Garland: Do you want ns to say anything on the form of the question to be submitted to the electors?

Mr Massey : Yes. . | Canon Garland said the pest answer he could, give was that in the •question should' be. included the principle''that every child should have the opportunity of reading Bible lessons, that'every child should have the right of beinc tiugiht tho faith of t's fathers; and that that deoision should be in the hands of h : s parents. So long as that principle was contained tHey would be content with the form in which the question was poit. "There should.'' he added, "bo one question put—yes or no." As to the question of raisins, the sectarian issue, he urged that the Prime Minister should write to the heads of the States in which the system had been in force and ask what was the result, and in that particu'ar respect abide by their opinion.