BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12930, 7 December 1912, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TEACHERS IN OPPOSITION

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day

At a meeting attended by 50 persons, including ' several ladies, and composed chiefly of public school teachers, it was decided that a league b. formed in Christchurch to oppose the platform oi the Bible in Schools League, and to support the present system of free. secular and compulsory education. Officers were appointed, Mr J. Caughley M.A., being elected president. The foi lowing basis of a platform was referrec to the committee to draw up th League's platform: (1) While recognis ing the value of the Bible and of reli gion, we mauitain that the policy pro posed by the Bible-in-Schools League is opposed" to civil and religious liberty., and is a menace to our national system of education: (2) we therefore pledge ourselves to defend the present nationa. secular svstem of education: (3) we alsc pledge ourselves to resist the proposal to take a referendum on a question which deals with religion and liberty ol conscience. WELLINGTON, this day. A largely-attended public meeting was held in the Town Hall last night, presided over bv the Mayor. It was decided to form 'a National -Schools' Defence League, . "to defend the existinp national . system of education." . The following resolutions were pasred : (1) That this meeting is of opinion there should be no departure from the existing, free, secular, and compulsory system of State, education ; (2) as the proposals of the Bible-in-Schools League -raise issues involving, both for parents nnd teachers, matters of conscience, this meetingTia of ■'. opinion that no such issues should be determined by means of a general plebiscite or referendum."