FROM THE MAILBAG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20128, 23 April 1928, Page 6

FROM THE MAILBAG

SCHOOL ELECTIONS Sir, — You will recall the action '.'f the Wanganui Education Board towards the end of 1926, in stopping the Scripture teaching given in tire schools, and their persistent refusal to even hear the Ministers’ Association on the matter. We wrote the Minister of Education on the subject and he sent his own opinion, the opinion of the Director of Education and of the Solicitor-Genera., all agreeing that the method of instruction followed in Wanganui had been legal. When these opinions were submitted to*thc chairman in June, 1927, all he wrote in reply was “Mr Hemingway has conferred w’itn me on the subject and we are agreed that seeing your League are now busy taking a referendum, for the present no action can be taken at this stage and therefore courteously decline to take part in any discussion on the matter.” Well, we took the referendum and an amazing majority of the parents voting, 86 per cent-, asked for a restoration of the Scripture teaching, but Mr Collins and his party on the Board went on their way. No other action remains but to secure new members on the Board who will carry out the expressed wishes of the parents, and this can only be don e by electing sympathetic school committees.

We know it is a pitv to introduce this question into the election of Monday, but no other possible course is op in ns the committees elect the Board of Education. That is why we are asking householders who want Bible teaching as of old, to roll up and give effect to their wishes. Many of the old members are with us, and those who are not are taking the stand that they are against the express desire of the vast majority of the parents of the children. The Bible in {Schools Association ’n this matter stands for no “clique” or sectarian interest, but for the carrying out of the parents’ desire on a must vital issue. If bitterness is introduced it is not out fault, but lies at the door of those who, off their own bat and for reasons they have refused to give us., began all the turmoil. JOHN PATERSONSt. Paul’s Manse, Wanganui, April 22.

Sir, —A correspondent a few days ago had a bit of a fling at the nomination of candidates for the School Committee elections to be held un Monutiy night- I am not sure that I quite understand your correspondent's mental attitude. Does he think that the people who are nominated are ~ot good enough to be trusted with the care of tne schools for the next twelve months? Or does he think that he and his fellow committeemen are so unco guid that it. is almost an act of sacrilege to oppose them? Or what?

The position is this. For 18 years the doors of the local schools were open to instructors on the truths of the Bible for one quarter of an hour a week, and without reason given, the doors were abruptly closed. The present movement is to have committees •elected for these schools —Avenue, Queen’s Park, Aramoho, Wanganui East, Gonville. Durie Hill, Tawhero and Castlecliff, who will be in favour of tiiz restoration of this privilege, and who will be willing to come before the Education Board with a united front and ask that that be done. Is there anything wrong with that? We are a British community and we, British like, express our opinions not with bombs, but with ballots. I trust that in all the schools mentioned there will be bumper houses — the theatrical word is “capacity houses” —on Monday nightLast year a poll was taken of those who desired the restoration of the privilege referred to, and there was an overwhelming majority in favour. If every home from which a “yes” vote came in will send along its votes, the success of our movement is assured, and if we get the concession in the Wanganui area, nothing can keep other areas from the same if they want it. P.S. —Both father and mother have a vote. —J.A. J. AITKENWanganui, April 21.