YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21774, 13 October 1932, Page 10

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(Abridged from Press Association ■ \ telegram.)

WELLINGTON, October 12. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. CENSORSHIP OF POSTERS.

In reply to Mr C. J. Carrington, wlio asked whether the Government would take steps.to tighten up the censorship of posters, the Acting-Leader of the Council (Mr R. Masters) said the censorship of posters had been in force for two years, and during that time specific complaints had been very few. The Minister of Internal Affairs would be pleased to investigate specific complaints if definite details were supplied. RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN \ SCHOOLS. Moving the second reading of the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill, Sir James Allen said the measure wag sponsored by eight churches which represented the vast majority of the people of New Zealand. These people had a right to say whether their children should receive religious instruction in schools. The attitude of a considerable section of Roman Catholics towards the Bill had changed in recent years, as they realised that a secular education system was a menace not only to the community but also to the Roman Catholic religion. A majority of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was in favour of the measure. The Bill did not eliminate the Nelson system, but it was maintained that the Nelson system had failed. In 1920, there were only 20,000 children out of 230,000 who were receiving instruction under the Nclton system. Mr Masters: There are 58,800 to-day. Sir James Allen said there was agrowing desire for public gatherings to be opened by prayer, and surely that principle should be extended to the schools. T|je reading of the Bible was valuable from a literary as well as an educational point of view, and there was no doubt that religious teaching was needed to, combat the growing materialism, Mr J. A. Hanan said the Bill aimed a death-blow at the secular feature of the educational system. It was the duty of the State to remain neutral in matters of religion. The only fair way in which the question whether they should retain the present secular system of education could be solved was by_ a referendum. Although teachers who objected to give religious instruction were exempted, there was no doubt they would be earrrftirkert and would suffer accordingly. The real place for religious instruction was at the . mother’s knee, because sound religious .'teaching should be given in the proper atmosphere. If, the Bill were passed it would open the way for grants to private schools of all- denominations, and the promoters of the Bill should contemplate the consequences of their actions. New Zealand children trained under the secu:ar system were equal in intelligence and moral character to any other children in the world, and . the conduct of our soldiers had been a further vindication of the success of the system. , _ Mr D. Buddo said he was in favour of the Bible being read in schools from ft literary point of view, but he considered that religious instruction would breed dissension amongst the people. In tlie committee stage he wou d move to h;ive the provisions of the Bill narrowed down to provide for Bible reading only. The debate was adjourned, and fine Council rose at 4.30 p.m.