WOMEN'S FRANCHISE LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 11

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE LEAGUE.

A meeting of the Women's Franohlae League was held in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms on Thursday evening. Mr M. Cohen occupied the obair, and there was a large attendance. Tbe Chairman slated that his name was on the programme to deliver some preliminary remarks, but as'tbo meeting had a lot of work to do he would dispense with a speech. TBS WOMEN'S CONOEESS. Mrs Hatton read her report as delegate to the Women's National Council. After referring to the work of meetings (of which full reports have already been published in the press), the report concluded as follows i — Ono of the resolutions carried at the meeting of the council, when I was in the chair, has been very widely canvassed, and a number of signatures, purporting to bo rodgnations from our league on account of this resolution, have been published by one of the old members of our executive (sincu resigned). You will have seen in my reply to this "protest" that a condition of tbiugs has been discovered on thu part of this member not very creditable to a member of our league, and that I have publicly stated that I will, not taks any further notice of her communications until she disproves the charges made against her] The question I refer to is the question of " Biblereading in Schools," or, as tho resolution puts it, the "maiutenauceof tho present systiin of free, comp.ilsory, and secular education." Now, I would like it clearly to be understood that, although I have held the honourable position of piesi<ieut of this league ever since it started, I am not prepared to admit that this position gives the Tight to any member of this league, or any woman or man anywhere, to control my political opinion?, much less my religious convictions. While I yield to no one iv my roverencefor the Word of God, I fully believe that tho c wbo object to religious teaching by the State do so as cons ientiou.-ly as I object— and always have object* d— to the exclusion of the Bible from our State schools. Now, if this were a question only as bstween an individual member and myself personally, I should have taken very little notice of it ; but when this member attacked me in my official capacity as president, I felt justified in going at once to the root of the mutter so os to be able to expos© the misrepttsentations of which she has been guilty, and laying bare the unscrupulous methods she has adopted in her anxiety fro dieere it me in my position as your delegate and otherwise to damage our league. The simple facts of the case" are these : I was presiding over the session at which this resolution was carried. Most of those who spoke to the resolution spoke in its favour and thoroughly condemned the "Irish Scrifctuie Text Book" as a most unsu table book to be placed in the hands of our schodl children, and based their objections mainly on the attempt to introduce this book into the schools. Mrs Schtiackeuburg heipg the only one on the floor who did not vote in its favour, and in conversation with her after the ee.-sion I explained that had I not been in the chair I should have voted with her. As far as I, am individually concerned as your delega c, those are the simple facts affecting this resolution 'J h* se delegates wbo differed with me on this or any other qu<stion, differed on conscientious grounds, for which I honour them, and shall always hold them in high respect and admiration. iS-'Uie extraneous matter has been introduced, in o der, if possible, to support what we immediately proved was a very false position. These matters have been fully gone into by the executive, with the result that the following resolution was unanimously carried : — "That this meeting after hearing evidence from mejuburs of the council wbo have investigated the circumstances under which Mis* Hancock obtained signatures from our Itoslyn members, cotißider her conduct deserving the severest censure, and that her resignation be accepted." I may tell you in conclusion that our league has not suffered, either numerically or financially, through the action taken by Miss Hancock. On the motion of Mr Wathen, seconded by Mre Adams, U-*- rrf>ort was adopted. SCBIPTUBE LESSON BOOKS. Mr W. A. W. Wathhn moved— "That in the opinion of this levgue, seeing that men and women of the colony profeßsing the Christian faith constitute the great majority of the people, it is advisable that a Scripture lesson book founded upon Biblical truths should be couii/iled by a representative committee, and that upon its adoption, by means of the referendum, it ehould be recognised as a daily reading book in our public schools." He ttated that the supporters of the system did not want to destroy the present system of education, but to improve it. Whatever might be said in favour oi the present system, it was cle&r that it did uot give general satisfaction. Having referred to tbe *yatein in New South Wal«-s the speaker stated th&t a public vote was taken on the education question in South Australia, where the church party were defeated by a large majority. According to recent information it appeared that tho party were somewhat taken by surprise on account of a conn ct between two sections of the church p*rty, and another trial would prove that the church party were more unanimous than was the case on the present electi< n. Mrs Trainob seconded the motion. As a mothtr, and as a member of the league, she thought that the education systMn would not be complete until religious instruction were introduced. Mrs Hatton said thatthoje who condemned, at the recent National Council, the introductionof the Irish Text Books into the schools, did so on account of oextain passages therein. Some of these passages could not be read in open meeting, aud one woman had stated that she would not allow her children to read such books. The Secretary stated that Lady Stout had written requesting tbat her paper, wherein she condemned the reading of the Bible in schools, should be read to a meeting of the league. The executive wrote back declining the rcque»t, and received the following reply :— „ , , Wellington, May 21, 1596. Mr 3 Ansel], secretary Franchise League. Denr Madam,— l was very much surprised to receive your letter of the sth iust., intimating that the executive of the Franchise League had decided not to receive my paper re Bible in schools. I fail to see the object in having & general meeting of the league to ducuss the question of IJible in schools if the executive have decided that only one side of the question, and that side the wide they approve of, should be heard. lam very much afraid the franchise was granted to the women of New Zealand before a number of them were sufficiently educated to appreciate the privilege, or to conscientiously vote and act for the pood of the community. I think the women who, for the sake of sectarian piejudice, will vote for the introduction of the Bible into the State schools are very ignorant of the contents of the Bible, and have very little idea of the responsibility of parents and ministers of religion If they say that it is for-the sake of the children whose parents neglect to teach them the Bible, then I say they have no right to force their religious beliefs upon other people's chilt%. If they would devote more time to the study of Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ, instead of the dogmas laid down by ignorant aud superstitious men, and which they alone can find in the Bible, they would see that religion and morality are taught in our State schools at the present time. The introduction of Bible-read-ing without explanation would be most disastrous J° the masses of our youths, and al*o would disturb the- present happy state of religious tolerance which has been fostered by the unsectarian education of our schools. Introduce dogma discussion, and religious bigotry will at once run not amongst the children and the parents. The teachers would suffer pereecution for their religious beliefs or unbeliefs, as the case might be. and the efficiency of the schools would suffer!

Bible-reading cannot be made an exercise of the day in our schools without putting our teachers under a religious teit. Beside*, tbe parents and ministers have no right to del> gate their duties and responsibilities to Irresponsive people. It is their duty to teach their children religion as they themselves believe, and they will be accountable to God for the neglect of such duty, and for the delegation to others for their own convenience. I The State teaches religion and morality without j sec arUnism now, and if the parents are not satisfied without dogma, they surely can spare a few minutes each day for. the education of their children in tha truths th»t they themselves believe. AH of the churches teach religion according -to their nwn light, and till they can agree as to the interpretation of the Scriptures I think they would be very much wiser, to say the least of it, to keep tho instruction In thVir own hands. The Roman Catholics are the only conFcientlous religious body In the colonies. They don't allow incompetent teachers to instruct their children in the fundamental truths of religion. If the Bible is to be taught in schools then we must have dtsnominationalism. lam not going to have my children taught by an Epi«copalian teacher, and I have no doubt Bishop Nevill would object to the tacrripr who was a Presbyterian, Baptist, or Unitari & Bible iv tcboolo means the opening up of all unchßritalilenets, bigotry, and intolerance, which are at present gradually freaking up, and will soon give place to the real spirit of Christianity between the sects. The South Australian people have given a decided vote against the introduction of the Bible and religious intolerance into their *cbools. New Zealand will auswer in the same way, so the Franchise League had better be careful and not try any retrograde raeasuiea if they expect to retain tha respect of the community. No religious intolerance will be tolerated by the men and women who have been educated in our State schools. Th-re are a few people, I suppose, who would gladly burn their opponents ; but nowadaj 6 they are harmless, though unfortunately there are Borne people ignorant enough to listen to the intolerant religious dogmas that they formulate and wish our children to be instructed in. I am very sorry the intolerance of religious bigotry is still to be found in the Franchise League, but I hope you will read my letter to the members so that I will be credited with a more enlightened spirit^ We are to have a meeting this evening to protest against the introduction of the Bible in schools. All the speakers are either ministers of religion or connected with religious donemiuations. They are too conscientious to delegate their duties. I hope theJTranchise League will reoonrirler the desirability of forcing State schoal teachors to teach religion. — Yours sincerely, Anna P. Stout. The reading of the letter was received with upplause. Mrs Dice favoured the simple reading of the Bible ; it wns the safest. Mrs Don a«ked if there were any reason why Lady Stout's paper was not read. Mrs Hatton said that the majority of tbe executive were in favour of the Bible in schools, and as Lady Clout's paper was strongly opposed to it they decided not to read it. Mrs Dogdai,e inquired if provision would be made for a conecisneo clause. Mr Wathex said that he believed provision would be made for a conscience clause. Mrs Wildy would certainly object to ministers of any denomination, she ' did not care what, teaching in the schools. Her children were now big, but they were small when previously tho bother about Bible-reading ! in schools was before the public At that time her children were allowed to go before school time for Scriptural instruction ; but she loun'd that Mr Ronaldftojn was teaching them the Catechism, and said: "No, you shall go no more at half- past 8, but at 9. Put the Catechism in the fire, and read the Book, if yon are going to read the Book." For this reason she objected to any minister teaching in the schools. Mr W. H Pearson thoughta book should be compiled for the purpose of teaching the hibtory of the Jews. That history ought to be taught as well as tbe history of any other people. Ignorance on the part of the child-en as to Biblical characters was, he thought, highly reprehensible. At the same time, he agreed that they should hear both side*, and suggested that to this end Lady Stout's paper should be read. Mr J. Hatton said that Lady Stout's letter had been read, but her paper, not being accepted by the executive, had not been forwarded. The letter had been sent instead of the paper, and the letter had been submitted to the meeting. Mrs R. N. Adams suggested that a vote should be taken on the question of Bible in schools The Chairman said that the quection of the Bible in schools, had not been raised. The question was that a Scripture leßoon book be prepared for use in the public schools. Mr J. W. Jago thought the suggestion would find realisation at the Greek Kalends. Tbat such a book should ever be prepared by such an agency an that suggested in the resolution, and submitted to the referendum, appeared impracticable and unrealisable. Mr Hatton failed to see why it should be impracticable, and for what cause it should be deferred to the Greek Kalends. The suggestion seemed to him to be a grave reflection upon those who would be called upon to compile the bonk and upon the people of the colony generally. He saw no reason why there should be difficulty in preparing a Scripture lesson book that would be ncceptable to all Christians. He also thought that the State should do its best to produce the best men and women, and to that end somsthing more was needed than instruction in the three R'a. Mrs Alexander proposed, and Mr* Watts seconded, us an amendment— " That; the Bible be read daily iv the public schools, without comment." The Chairman accepted this as an amendment, but Mr Wathen maintained that it was not an amendment, but should be treated as a substantive motion. On the point being submitted to the meeting, it was carried that the amendment should be dealt with as a' separate motion, and it was tbeu withdrawn. Mr Wathen thsn replied. The Chairman stated that the question of Bible reading in 6cbools was not at issue at all in the motion before the meeting He expressed the opinion tbat the executive had made a serious blunder in not reading L»dy Stout's paper, as both sides ot such a question should be discussed. If religious instruction in sohools were decided upon there must be protection for those teachers who conscientiously said they could not give this instruction. A show of hand 6 waa then taken, but only a few voted— the voting appearing to be equal. Mrs Adams : Read the motion clearly. We do not know whutit is. The Chairman : I have read it four limes already. I will read it again. The motion being again read, another show of hands was taken and the motion was declared carried by 17 to 8. Mrs Adams thought that the question should have been put clearly to the meeting — For Bible in schools or for the Text Books. The Chairman: That is not the question at all. i Mrs, Alexander moved and Mrs Watt seconded—" That the Bible only shall be read daily in the public schools rb the Scripture

lesson book, and that Hi shall be read wifchonl comment." Mr Wathen heped the motion would not be carried, as they had already carried a motio_ referring the matter to a referendum. The first rnolution covered the whole ground, and they should be content with that. Mr R. N. Adams said that to carry the motion would bo to undo what had already been done. Mrs R. N. Adams was of opinion that it would do no harm ; they could not improve on the Bible. Mr Jago advised the withdrawal of the motion as inconsistent with the former ono. Mr Hatton strongly adrired that the motion be withdrawn, or that at least the word "only " should be deleted. Mr Pkabson said that to carry thi« motion would be, simply breeding the wind. To carry this would be to show that the meeting did noil know iti own mind. Mrs Duqdale moved, and Mrs Fobbbstbh seconded, as an amendment—" That the question of the Bible in schools be submitted to the people by way of referendum." For the amendment 26 votes were recorded, and for the motion, with the word "only" deleted, three voted. It was then oarried without dissent that tht question of Bible reading in schools be referred to the referendum. ■WOMAN*B WOMC. Mrs Don suggested that as so muoh time had been t*ken up with the debate just clostd Mr Pearson's address be postponed to a future date. Mr Pearson willingly accepted the suggestion. It was then resolved that Mr Pearson bo requested to deliver his address oa " Woman** Woik" on the last Friday iv June. A recitation wan giren by Miss Clark aad « song by Mrs Annell. ADDiIKSS TO THE PBHMIEB. ' A circular letter wit* received irotu Mrs G. A. Sohock, hon. secretary of the Women's Social and Political League, Wellington, bringing under the notice of the league the faot that it is intended to present a congratulatory address fro the Premier on the 22nd of June, his fiftyfirst birthday, and invitiug members to ioin in this and also in a presentation to Mrs Sedden. The Chairman said the executive had desired him to state that as the laague was a nonparty organisation they thought it ought not to take part in the proposed demonstration, but that any individual members who felt so disposed should add their names and subscribe to the testimonial. The subscription list and letter accompanying it would be on the table, and an opportunity would be given to these, who desired to show their sympathy with die pro* posals mentioned in the eiroular, and a number present immediately afterwards signified thoir intention of subscribing to the testimonial as suggested. The meeting dosed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.