BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 18970, 18 June 1923, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

“ILLEGAL RIGHT OF ENTRY ” (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 15. The Director of Education (Mr J. Caughley), has received a letter from the Rev. Robert Wood, of Karori (Wellington), stating that owing to the unwillingness or the inability of the Presbyterian minister, in whose parish the Karori Public School is situated, to give lessons under the so-called Nelson system, he had consented to give the lessons. He had been doing so for the last two years. These lessons were given at 2.45 p.m. during school hours. He asked Mr Caughley whether this was legal or illegal? He also said that Dr Gibb stated in a circular, that Mr Massey had promised to carry through a measure in favour of Bible in Schools this session, and he (Mr Wood) asked for information as to the nature of the new legislation proposed. Mr Caughley has replied stating that the first point is distinctly illegal since the lessons are taken in school hours, when all the teachers are officially on duty. Regarding Dr Gibb’s circular, he has no official knowledge of the arrangement. This information could be obtained only from the Prime Minister or from the Executive of the Council of Churches, which waited upon him in connection with this matter. Mr Wood further wrote that he and two other gentlemen who teach Bible lessons at the Karori School had considered Mr Caughley's letter and they had agreed to continue the work they have been doing and to leave it to Parliament to take any action it saw fit with regard to the “illegal right of entry” on their part. DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONS PERTINENT QUERY. WELLINGTON, June 16. The following letter has been handed to the Post for publication in addition to the previous one:—“To the Rev. R. Wood, Main Road, Karori, Wellington. Dear Sir, —With reference to your letter of June 13, I note that although the three ministers who gave Bible lessons in Karori school have been informed that they are committing a breach of the law in their method of conducting these lessons, they have decided to continue the illegal method adopted. It may be asked whether, in this attitude, the reverend ministers are presenting to the pupils of the school a standard of loyalty and obedience, which we expect of all k . -abiding citizens? Yours Faithfully, (Sgd) Cauchlev Director