BIBLE READING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22834, 19 March 1936, Page 2

BIBLE READING

RELIGIOUS EXERCISES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN " PURELY OPTIONAL " PERMISSION A deputation consisting of the Rev. W. A. Hamblett (president of the Council of Christian Congregations), Rev. Dr E. N. Merrington (president of the Bible-in-Schools League, Dunedin), Mr J. B. Grant (member of executive), the very Rev. Dean Cruickshank (Church of England), Rev J. D. Smith (Presbytery of Dunedin), Rev. B. J. James '(Methodist Church), Mr H. H. Johnson (School Committees' Association), and Principal A. L. Haddon (Council of Religious Education, Otago). waited on the Education Board yesterday to discuss the question of the periods at which religious exercises might be given to school children. Mr James Wallace, chairman of the board, eaid he did not think he needed to point out to the deputation that they should confine their speeches to the question of the times for the religious exercises. The principle of Bible reading in schools was not before them. He understood that what the deputation wanted was five minutes for religious exercises on four school days of the week and for 20 minutes on one day of the week. At the present time 30 minutes on one day of the week only was allowed. The Rev. Mr Hamblett said that they did not desire that the half hour at present allowed should be interfered with. There was a point, however, as regarded the period under which the exercises could be carried out, so that an agoht might be able to visit more than one school in a morning. Where the existing Nelson system of a half hour in the week was not at present in vogue they asked for permission to have five minutes on each day of the week. It wa3 their earnest desire that there should be opportunity, as part of their education in Otago, for the daily recognition of God. They did not believe that any educational system was perfect which left out the recognition of God daily. Mr J. B. Grant said that there could be a short prayer, the singing of a hymn and the reading of a portion of the Scriptures, to take about five minutes. There was no better character training for children than could be found in the Bible. The teaching would be purely voluntary. The Rev. J. D. Smith said that those interested in the movement would provide the organisation. Their, legal opinion was that it was perfectly within the Act to do what. the deputation asked. No doubt there might be some opposition from the Teachers' Institute, but. he knew that a large number of teachers were quite ready to co-operate with them in the matter. No teacher would be compelled to take religious exercises of which he or she disapproved. If the system proved itself there would be an increasing number of teachers prepared to co-operate. The chairman: You ask that you be allowed to have opening religious exercises for five minutes on four days of the week and half an hour on one day, as at present under the Nelson system? Mr Wallace pointed out that there must be no interruption once a beginning with a lesson was commenced. It must •jo on to the end, and not be stopped and restarted.

Mr N. Colquhoun wanted to know whether Mr Johnson was a member of the deputation in a private capacity or as representing the School Committees' Association. The chairman said he did not think they needed to inquire into that point. Mr Colquhoun, however, pressed his point. Dr Merrington stated that the deputation had not had' time to get the sanction of the School Committees' Association. A deputation on the lines now before the board had, however, waited on the association, which had been very favourable to them, and Mr Johnson had come along with the deputation to represent the association eo far as its opinion had been expressed. The chairman said he knew the feeling of his board,* and he ventured the opinion that they would' give the permission asked for. They knew perhaps that one of the Otago schools had refused for years to allow Bible instruction. Dr Merrington: There were special reasons in that case.

The chairman: Well, it might be so. Mr Colquhoitn said that there were special reasons in lots of cases. The chairman: Well, I would say, go on and God bless you. That is my idea. I cannot say definitely what decision will be come to. The deputation then retired, and on the motion of Mr D. C. Cameron it was decided to agree to five minutes for religious exercises on four days of the week in addition to the half hour on the remaining day now in vogue under the Nelson system. Where the Nelson system is not operating the period to be five minutes each day in the week. Mr Cameron said that the Canterbury and Wanganui Education ' Boards had granted permission to a similar request to that put forward by the deputation. An amendment by Mr Colquhoun that the Nelson system provided all that was necessary lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Colquhoun said that there was a difference of opinion amongst ministers themselves at to which system was the best for the schools. The question of elasticity in the time for the devotions, so as to enable an agent to visit a number of schools, was not pressed. The chairman pointed out that the fact of the board agreeing to the request of the deputation did not mean that It must perforce take effect. It was purely optional on a school committee or a teacher.