PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17635, 27 May 1919, Page 5

PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL COUNCIL CLOSES. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT. (Pbr fctaiT&D Pbbss Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26. The annual council of the Protestant Political Association concluded its sittings to-day. The discussion of remits was resumed, and tlie executive was instructed to draw up a political platform. The powers of the dominion executrve were enlarged, and the work of organisation, both, political and financial, were ordered to be expedited and completed. A generous response was made by representatives of tho various divisions financially, and a most optinnstio tone prevailed. As a result of discussion and devolopment of plans regarding the suppression of the religion of convicted persons, tho following motion was passed: " This council directs the attention of the Government to the suppression of tho religion of convicted persons from the olh'cial year-book, thereby removing from the people valuable proof ot the superiority of the value of the State system of education aa against denominational education, aiid calls upon the Government to have these statistics reinstated, as their removal is without the authority of Parliament and against the interests of the people." The council the urgent desirability of establishing State orphanages. Another resolution adopted was as follows: —"This council unites with Protestants of tho Empire in protesting against the pre , - sence of an envoy of the British Government at i the Vatican, aa being unconstitutional and an insult to the loyal Protestants of every dominion, and that the oxecutive communicate with Protestant organisations throughout the Empire with a view to a strong united protest." A further resolution was passed condemning the action of tho Minister of Customs and Attorney-general in prohibiting the importation of certain Protestant literature. On tho subject of national education the following resolution was also passed : —"This council, affirming its appreciation of and devotion to the present system of free compulsory undenominational education, calls upon the Government to safoguard its schools by providing that concessions already made to sectarian schools be withdrawn and no further concessions ma-de «and that the Government support the national system of education by providing for pupils of State schools a fair proportion of civil service appointments." (2) "That an adequate vote (£5,000.000) bo provided for the development of the education system upon modern lines, to enable proper provision "to be made for children and adequate remuneration to teachers in keeping with tho value and dignity of their calling."