BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 34

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

aEFERENDUM OF COMMITTEES. • (From Odh Own Corbespoxdext.) WELLINGTON, June 14. The following is a copy of a circular which is being posteel to the secretary of every school committee in New Zealand by the Wellington Citizens' Bible-in-schools Committee. — Sir,— The Wellington Citizens' Bible-in-echools Committee being desirous, that the Bible be read in the New Zealand State schools after methods in vogue in the United States of America, Canada, and other countries, as detailed below, are taking a referendum of the 1800 school committees in the colony on this important educational question, It therefore would feel favoured if your committee would express an opinion on the question submitted upon the returnable voting paper. The committee advocates (1J That the Bible be read as a classic. (2) No comments allowed except geographical, grammatical, and historical. (3) The State school teacher only to supervise the Bible-reading. (4) Any teacher or scholar having conscientious objection may be excused from the Bible lesson. It is proposed to get a strong deputation of parents to wait on the Prime Minister during tbe session to urge thi6 reform. Therefore, if your committee approve of this movement, kindly appoint one or tiro delegates, committeemen or otherwise, to represent your district on this de- < put*tk>n, sending to tho undersigned the flames- and addresses o| tbe gentlemen so appointed. Anj suggestions from your committee will be welcomed. Some parents advocate tbe u^e of the revised Bible, also ihe repetition of the Ten Commandments tyßfio * w«ekj «■ i« ▼©£«« in P arl » of

Canada. The movement uGuid ho furthered I if your committee wou'.d kindly adviso the I Education Board and the member for your I electorate of its decision. — I am., etc., S. Pearson, hon. see. Bible-in-schools Committee. P.S.— The Bible-in-schools Committee wish to emphasis© the fact that it wants the State schools teachers only to impart the lesson after methods in vogue in America. Accompanying this circular is a. document setting out what is done in various countries of the world regarding Bible-reading in schools. The voting paper is to be signed by the chairman and secretary of each committee, and i« headed, "Returnable voting paper." Does your State school approve of the Bible being read in the school* on the lines set out by the Wellington Bib!e-in-6chcols 1 League?" The signatories are requested to answer "Yes" or *" No," and it is announced that "If your committee has any specific objection or suggestion you would oblige by stating the same."