BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 10

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE

DOMINION EXECUTIVE The most recent meeting of the Dominion Executive of the Bible-in-Schools League was held for the first time in Christchurch last week, members attending from as far south as Invercargill. The chairman of the Canterbury executive (Archdeacon Haggitt) occupied the chair, the Bishop of Christchurch not being able to remain for the full session. The Rev. J. L. Robinson attended ae proxy for the moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. A. W. Stuart for the president of the Baptist Union, and Adjutant Hildreth, district secretary, for the commissioner of the Salvation Army. The Rev. M. A. R. Pratt, president of the Methodist Conference, and Pastor Crawford, president of the Churches of Christ, represented their respective conferences. The unanimous support of the Churches of Christ Conference for the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill was reported. This vote brings finally into line in support of this Bill all the church courts which originally formed the Bible-in-Schools League and had accepted the platform represented in the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill. Satisfaction was expressed that greater unity than ever before was in evidence among the churches in seeking for the recognition of God and the Bible in the schools ot New Zealand. Even previous opponents had conceded the fairness of the Bi»l to those who would seek exemption from religious lessons. ~ . A letter received from the Toronto Council of Teachers in the province of Ontario, Canada, stated that 18,000 teachers in the province were in full support of the Bible-iu-schools movemefit, A resolution was carried unanimously drawing attention to outbreaks of lawlessness in New Zealand as evidence of the menace of secularism, and indicating grave deficiencies in moral and religious instruction among young people in New Zealand. , c Attention was drawn to the absence ot any notification or explanation by the Roman Catholic hierarchy in regard to its action with relation to the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill after the official intimation had been given that opposition would be withdrawn. Support was given to a conference on religious education to he held in ne!lington on September 6 to 8 under the auspices of the New Zealhnd Council ot Religious Education. Future organisation was discussed at length in an afternoon session, and a committee consisting of the president (Archbishop Averill), and secretary, together with the Revs. Canon James and Colonel Burton (Wellington), the Rev. E. D. Patchett (Auckland), the Rev. C. J. Tocker (Invercargill), Mr L. M. Isitt, M.L.C., Colonel Studbolme and Miss B. Sanders (Christchurch) was appointed to complete a scheme of organisation and report to the next meeting in Wellington in August.