BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19000, 24 October 1923, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION. SUPPORTED BY ANGLICAN CLERGY. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, October 23. That religion should be taught in the schools of tho State was the unanimous opinion recorded yesterday when Canon Percival James. vicar of St. Mary’s Cathedral, moved a resolution earnestly commending to tho Parliament and the people of the dominion the legislation proposed in tho last session of Parliament, to provide religious instruction in the btate schools. Religion, said Canon James, was tho primary need of the schools to-day, and ho believed that the long drawn-out struggle over the matter was nearing its end. This happy position was largely duo to tho tact and the energy displayed on tho matter by Bishop Averill. It was explained by Canon James that tho proposed Bill provided for definite periods for religious exercise every week, but on one day in the week, however, tho instruction would be on patriotism, which was a right and proper thing, as religion and patriotism, in his opinion, should go hand in hand. A book of selected Biblical passages and a book of suitable- hymns would bo drawn up by the educational authorities in conjunction with the clergy. Tho teachers’ explanations would bo ol grammatical nature only, and thus tjie doctrine savouring of any one church v otdd be avoided. Conscience clauses were included to provide lor both teachers and pupils. , Air Norman Burton seconded the motion, observing that (ho removal of the clauses regnrdnig the right of entry had removed much of the opposition and that the mutter had the support of the majority of parents. Avoidance of contentious doctrines was one of the main difficulties, said (he Rev. Mr Steel (Whangavei). who could not see how such a difficulty could be overcome, and ho was afraid that if the instruction were left to the teachers l , heretical or atheistical teachings might creep in. In the back blocks, said Air R. Brown, the children often grew up practically without anv knowledge of God and the Bible unless they received it. at school, and the townspeople could hardly appreciate this posit ion. . The motion was earned unanimously.