BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 249, 23 September 1913, Page 2

BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS

The attendance at the town hail on Friday evening was poor, but lift: residents being present. This was indeed surprising, more especially when the importance of the subject at issue—tiie introduction ol Bible reading in Stated schools is considered. Tne meeting was held under the auspices of the Bible in State Schools League, the Rev. W. C, Wood of Papakura having been deputed by his league to address the meeting. In addition to this gentleman there were on the stage Rev. F. W. Clarke (chairman), D. J. A. Shaw, J. A. Latnond, .and Mr C. M. Strachey. * , In opening the meeting thk chairman apologised for an error whereby it had been advertised that the Rev P. W. Clarkson would speak that evening, Mr Wood, however, would prove an able substitute.

The Rev. Shaw (Presbyterian) stated that-as a representative of the Presbyterian Church of N.Z., he was pleased to state that his Church is in accord with the proposals of the league, lie perso- I nally, was not prepared to state that the proposals now advocated were everything to be desired, but they were certainly the best * that had yet been brought forward, and if adopted wouU prove valuable in the educatiwi of the children. He had every respect for the opinions of those who opposed the proposals. He himself had carefully thought out all details and had endeavoured to judge the case fairly. Our present educational system was a good one and it was only to be expected that any alteration would not be immediately favoured. But, whilst the State claimed to educate the children, it denied the opportunities of familiarising them with the text bible. It was stated by some that the church desired to shirk its duty—this was not the Case.,.The proposals of the League would be for the benefit of the children, and at least were worthy of being .submitted to the vote of the people. What was necessary was co-operation to bring “about the desired reform. Rev. Latnond (Methodist) sii-cfc*-. he was glad to be present and throw his lot in with the Bibig in Schools League. He had had the privilege of attending the State schools. in New South Wales, and had Worked under many and varied conditions. - He had always met with a royal welcome when visiting the schools, and had never been refused admittance. His church was in sympathy with the movemenf.The speaker referred to the system as obtains in New SoySfi Wales, and urged that full consideration be given for the /introduction of the system to‘the State schools of New Zealand. Rev. Wood (Papakura) at' first emphasized the importances of

he educational system of any country and the need for every consideration being given for its betterment. The league he represented had come forward wjth important proposals, and the question at issue required proper and unbiassed consideration. He went on to refer to the system that obtained in New Zealand prior to 1877, when the sectarian schools were abandoned in favCJsr. of a State school system. The country had expected that bible reading would be continued in the State schools, but in the passage of The empowering Bill through the House clauses relevant to this question had been deleted. In the majority of Australian States bible reading formed part of the State school syllabus. The system there had proved most satisfactory, ample evidence of which was found in h the fact that no Government had attempted to amend the system. The question of introducing the system in New Zealand had now reached that stage when some- ■ thing definite would have to be done. His league represented a very large proportion of the electors of the Dominion, who were determined that the people be-given an opportunity of deciding the issue. They were prepared to abide by the vote of the people, and were determined that the people alone determine the question. He claimed that every child should have the opportunity?of reading the scriptures. The bible reading was “optional” although Australian experience had proved that a very small proportion—so few indeed that no records were kept—of the children withdrew from bible reading classes. The reading of the bible was not’ necessarily religious instruction, lie. referred at some length to the value qf the ’■ t: bible as a classical work, and as " such it should rightly be introduced into the schools. It had**., been said that the League wanted to teach religion. If •religion' ' meant purdy .and honesty; it did want to teach religion, if religion meant the inculca- V tion of theological dogma, - it was not religion the league wanted to 1 teach. It had been s.tated that : the teachers were not to be • trusted. This, the speaker con- T tended, was a libel on the teachers. He declined to believe it, and stated the league was prepared to trust the teachers. The State would prepare a text book and it was from this that the reading would be taken. The right of entry was demanded by Ti his League. By this the clergy or recognised teacher of each ji and every sect would be permitted -if to enter the schools at stated Tq

hours for the purpose of teaching the children. He ridiculed the suggestion that the clergy had brought forward the bible in schools proposals in an endeavovr to shirk their own duties, and instanced the sacrifice of time that the visiting of all schools would necessitate. State aid tosectarian schools was not a solution of the difficulty. The League was in favour of equal opportunities to all and special privileges to none. In conclusion the lecturer said the time had come for a referendum, and the League was not afraid to place the whole scheme in the hands of the people for a referendum. (Applause). Rev. Clarke regretted that criminal statistics had been quoted by their, opponents in an endeavour to prove that Victoria was better off without religious instruction than New South Wales was with it. Comparing New South Wales with New Zealand, the statistics showed that in 1897 New South Wales’ population was 1,225,000. Crime had decreased 44 per cent., and there was an increase ot population of 30 per cent. In the same year New Zealand, with a population' of 729,000, crime had increased 250 per cent. There was an increase of New Zealand born criminals from 465 to 1164. Question time was fully availed of by the audience and a large number of questions were answered by Revs. Wood and Clarke.

'lt was ultimately proposed by Rev. Shaw and seconded by. Mr Stevenson. “That this meeting of the electors in the Waikato Electorate, being convinced that the question of religious instruction in the State schools cannot satisfactorily be settled except by the vote of the people .respectfully requests the Prime' Minister to introduce a Referendum Bill on the subject, and further requests Mr Young, M.P. for this electorate/to support the measure by his vote.” An amendment was immediately proposed by Mr F. Quin and. seconded by Dr. Reekie that “this meeting emphatically protests against the introduction of-Bible in State Schools.” The taking of the vote resulted in confusion. A show of hands was called for. The result was not announced and a second vote called. The result of the second vote was also not announced in figures from the platform, but the chairman declared the motion carried —an announcement that was rather severely criticized by some of those present.