CHANCES NOT FAVORED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18465, 2 August 1934, Page 5

CHANCES NOT FAVORED

BIBLE IN. SCHOOLS BILL EARLY OPPOSITION PRELIMINARY SKIRMISH (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Members of the House of Representatives found much amusement in a preliminary to the discussion of the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill last night, when Mr. I’. Fraser (Labor, Wellington Central) made what appeared to be a friendly suggestion to its author, Mr. 11. Holland "(Coal., Christchurch North), that, lie could facilitate the second reading if lie would agree that it should be then referred to the Education Committee.

“I have had an experience of that committee,”, retorted Mr. Holland. “Last time, I willingly consented to that committee taking qvidence, and it kept the bill there for 20 weeks before reporting it to the House, and within a few days the House rose. (Laughter.) He added that by this time a number of members had gone home, and he lost his chance of success, so he did not approve of the, bill going to the committee.

“I want the House to settle the bill," he concluded, amid laughter, and the debate which followed was, with one exception, confined to critics, and when adjournment time was reached Mr. G. R. Sykes (Coal., Master!on) was commencing to speak. Lobby opinion is that if the measure gets another opportunity for discussion, a. motion to refer it to the committee will be emphatically negatived, and that the second reading also will fail to lie carried, the adverse majority being about eight. THE UTMOST FREEDOM

Mr. Holland, in moving the second reading, said the Bible in Schools’ League, which numbered 50,000 persons, was solidly behind the bill, and also most of the Christian Churches. He said that the spiritual needs of the children were being neglected. He denied that the imparting of instruction would throw any more work on headmasters. In any case they need not undertake it unless they wished. Mr. Holland said ho believed that most school teachers were in favor of religious instruction in schools, and also tho majority of school committees. Bible teaching in public schools would fill a long felt want. It was the proper place to instruct tho child’s mind. Would anyone suggest that reciting the Lord’s Prayer would, under any circumstances, do an atom of damage? Mr. W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) said that teachers did not come forward to teach the Bible under the Nelson system, but the present bill depended on the teachers. Mr. Holland could get all ho desired under the Nelson system, which was working satisfactorily in Ins neighborhood. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Coal., Dunedin W.) said that he would like more 'information on the bill before lie committed himself. He would like to know the opinions of head teachers and others affected by it.

Mr. A. Harris (Coal., Waitemata)' said the hill was a big advance on the Nelson system. It gave the utmost freedom to every man, woman and child in the Dominion.

Mr. W. Nash (Lab., Hull) said that be was doubtful about giving anyone the right to pass on knowledge of Christian principles by one who might- not- believe in them.

Mr. E. T. Tirikatone (Ind.. S. Maori) opposed the bill, lie said that when it came to teaching the Bible in schools the differences among denominations would clash. 110 thought that religions teaching should originate in the homes. Mr. G. R. Sykes (Coal., Mastorton) referred to bigotry of secularism, and was speaking when the House rose at 10.30 p.m.