BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143770, 19 April 1912, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

A REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 18. A conference of Dominion church representatives was held to-dav. re the Bible in schools question. There were present;—Anglican Church—The Primate, Bishop Neville (in the chair, Dean Fitchctt, Dean Harper, Archdeacon Harper, Canons Carrington and Sedgwick, Revs. Burton, Purchas and Hem land ; Presbyterian Church —Revs. Dr. Gibb (Wellington),Davis (Dunedin). Tait and Mackenzie (Christchurch); Methodist Church —Revs. Laws, Rothwell. Buttle, Lawry and Air. J. A. Fleslier ; Primitive Methodist —Rev. S. Henderson. An apology was received from Brigadier Gist (Salvation Army). The conference was convened as a result of an informal conference hold in Christchurch in June, 1911. It was reported to the conference that the Anglican Synod, Presbyterian Assembly, and Methodist Conference had formally accepted the main principles of the Now South Vales system, and had empowered their delegates to enter into negotiations lor a conference and joint action with_ the representatives of other denominations. It was moved by Dean Fitchett, seconded' by Dr. Gibb, and carried: That the general statement of policy affirmed by resolution at the last conference be reaffirmed, and that the conference constitute itself a league to carry out the resolution. The resolution referred to is as follows: That tins conference approves of the general principles of the system of religious instruction which obtains in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and West Australia, and it as the only practical solution of the problem of religious instruction in the State schools of New Zealand. ; On the motion of Dr. Gibb, seconded by Mr. Davis, it was resolved that a Ibaguc be established, to be known as the Bible in‘State Schools League of New Zealand, and that all Bible in State school organisations already in existence be invited to incorporate with the new league. It was decided that the headquarters of the executive be for the present in Christchurch, and that an executive committee of the officers of the league and twenty others be appointed. It was agreed that the policy_ of the league should appeal to the Legislature for a referendum to be carried out on the lines of the Queensland referendum in 1910.

The question of appointing an organising agent was referred to the executive, with power to act. The following officers were appointed : President, Bishop Neville; vicepresidents, the Anglican Bishop, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 'presidents of the Methodist Church and Primitive Methodist Conference, officer commanding the- Salvation Army of N.Z., chairman of Congregation Union (subject to his consent). Dean Pitchetr, Dean Harper. Rev.;. Dr. Gibb, R. E. Dunis, I. Jolly. ?. both odist chairmen of districts and chairmen of local branches of the league. The Rev. J. Mackenzie was appointed secretary pro tem. A committee was appointed to approach various local clergymen and laymen with a view cf securing their services on the executive.

The general feeling of the conference was that the mooting represented an epoch in tho history of the movement, and that the time was ripe for an appeal to public opinion on the wdiole question.