THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 59, 26 October 1914, Page 6

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

JThb Press Abbooiation.] Wellington, October 26. When the Education Committee met this morning to resume evidence on the Bible-in-Schools question, Canon Garland objected to the cross-ex-amination by Mr Bates on the ground that he did not represent any recognised body. Mr Bates was only a witness, and he (Canon Garland) upderstood that only representatives el the parties were to cross examine; consequently, he did not ask for the right of cross-examination for his witness.

The Chairman ruled that Mr Bates, having commenced the cross-examina-tion, could not be stopped now. Canon Garland then asked that Bishop Cleary be allowed 5 to cross-ex-amine him in order to give him time to consult his executive and solicitor as to what attitude he would take up with regard to Mr Bates. The Committee agreed to this course, and Bishop Cleary commenced the cross-examination. Canon Garland agreed with Bishop Cleary as to ideals, but differed from him as to methods. He could not accept the offer of Catholics for religious instruction in schools on “conditions fpir all round,” because he understood that one of the conditions made imperative was State denominational schools. He did not understand that a partial offer had been made by the Catholics, irrespective of school grants. He did not consider it an unfair statement that the principal opponents to the Bible in schools were Catholics and athiests. The National Schools Defence League was representing the position of the Atheists, notwithstanding that some Christian ministers were associated with it. The League originated at a meeting led by Mr Joseph McCabe, who was recognised as a secularist leader. If Catholic bishops arc successful in opposing the Bible-in-Schools League the effect would be to maintain the secular system. There, fore it was not unfair to say that they were fighting to preserve the secular system, though they had been fighting the national system/ for 36 years. The Bishops’ present action would result in perpetuating it. The Bible-in-Schools League was not antagonistic to the national system. All they asked was for the addition of religious teaching as a keystone to enable the system to stand for ever. Any system of religious teaching thoroughly acceptable to the, great majority of the people Avould act as a keystone. A denominational system would be antinational. The present system was politically the national system, but he did not think it truly represented the national Christian spirit of the Dominion. He was- .afraid that if a referendum was refused the Anglicans and Presbyterians might join with the Catholics in demanding State aid to their private schools. He wanted to see a system established which would reach all children. The Committee then adjourned till 2.30 p.m.