NELSON SYSTEM FOR WANGANUI SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 277, 22 November 1928, Page 8

NELSON SYSTEM FOR WANGANUI SCHOOLS

BOARD’S DECISION REQUEST OF MINISTERS ACCEDED TO

The matter Qf religious exercises in schools again caused a little trouble at the meeting of the Education Board last night, when the chairman (Mr W. A. Collins) put a motion to the effect that the Nelson system should not be allowed. Although the voting, on a show of hands, was five to four in favour of the motion, the chairman declared, that as a member had voted against his convictions, he took the attitude of the board as a vote of no-confidence in himself, and expressed his intention c-f resigning. A deadlock ensued, but after lengthy discussion it was decided to permit the adoption of the Nelson system.

The matter arose out of a deputation of representatives of religious denomiXtions which waited upon the Board for the purpose of obtaining permission to visit the schools under the Nelson system. The Rev. Williams, who headed the deputation, stated that it waited upon the Board as the officially elected representatives of all religious denominations of Wanganui, and asked it to rOitore the privilege previously enjoyed by the ministers of the town, with perfect satisfaction to them as well as to the parents, scholars and, he believed, the teachers. He referred to the Nelson system, which provided for Bible reading from 9 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. The practice was discontinued two years ago, under the impression that it was illegal. An opinion had been obtained, and this was shown not to be the case. In order to test the feeling of the parents, a referendum was taken in Wanganui, and the result was that r ut of the parents who voted. 86 per cent, expressed a wish that. religious instruction should be restored. Forty-three Per Cent. Vote. In reply to the chairman, Mr Williams agreed that the 86 per cent, referred to was of the 50 per cent, of parents who voted. Mr W. H. Oram: Actually 43 per cent, of the people. If the deputation favoured simple Bible instruction, why was it necessary to get the ministers to give it? asked Mr Oram. Why wore the teachers not asked to give it? Mr Williams: We generally find that the teachers don’t wish to bo put to the extra work. The Ministers’ Association would value their assistance. Mr Oram: Would the children be allowed to ask questions? Mr Williams: Tes, certainly. Mr Oram: Doesn’t the deputation consider that a text book could be compiled based on the historical lessons of the Bible? Mr Williams: That is what the Bible League of New Zealand is working for. In reply to a question by Mr Adams. Mr Williams said that the general objection to taking the lessons at 8.45 was that the children had to come some distance to school and it entailed hardship on them. A Sign of Weakness. The chairman: In regard to the discontinuance of the privilege, why did not the Ministers’ Association carry on the instruction before nine o’clock when, as a Presbyterian Minister of this city stated, the children were asking them in the street why they did not come up to the school to tca'di them? Don’t you think it was a sign of weakness on the part of the Ministers’ Association and the Biblc-in-Schools’ League? Mr Williams: The opinion was that the privilege would be restored in a short time. The chairman: I don’t think you g ft t over the question. "I move that the permission to adopt the Nelson system be ~ot grant ed.” said the chairman, after the deputation had retired. The new syllabus. which would come into operation next February, would take the teacher* all their time to get through their work. Unless Bible instruction was to be made universal he was not prepared to vote for it. He was returned on a ticket to oppose the Bible in schools. Mr Adams seconded the motion and said that he had also received a mandate of seven to one to oppose such a measure. Mr Oram: I consider that every child should have some form of Bi Ide instruction. The Bible is the foundation of citizenship. The history of the Bible should be taught. Mr J. K. Horn blow : I agree with Mr Oram in all that he has said. It is becoming more and more essential that there must be a knowledge of God on the part of the children. Mr J. S. Tingey said that he wanted to know why the chairman was against the introduction of the Nelson system. The speaker expressed himself as being in favour >f it. The fact that one portion of the children was compelled to have religious instruction, while another portion was allowed to play, was remarked upon by Mr R. Dukeson as being an

unfavourable aspect of the system. The children would resent being kept in school under such circumstances. Mr E. F. Hemingway: It is entirely a question for Parliament. I am opposed to the system. If the children were growing up absolutely Godless there might be some call for it. Air A. S. Coleman: I think that it is a stop in the right direction. We are a link of the British nation and in England to-day the Bible is taught in every school. Therefore I am going to vote for the Nelson system. Mr W. S. Woodruffe: I think that some instruction should be given. Chairman’s Appeal. The chairman: Mr Woodruffe supported me last time. I am sorry that he has “ratted.” When the Ministers’ Association had the opportunity of going into the schools before nine o’clock why didn’t they go? I don't think they are worthy of sympathy. Mr Williams was misleading the Board by stating that 86 per cent, of the parents had voted in favour of the system, but he afterwards admitted that he was wrong. lam going to appeal to you, I gentlemen, to change your votes. I .appeal to you to consider the matter over again. I will take it as a vote of confidence. Cries of “No!” were heard from several members. The chairman: Yes, I am going to resign if the motion is lost. Mr Hornblow: I am going to protest against such an action. Air Coleman: I say that although I am voting against you in this, it is not right for you to put the motion as you have done. Mr Oram rose to speak, but the chairman interrupted him by saying, “I am going to put the motion." Mr Oram: I rise to make an explanation. If a motion comes before the Board, each member is entitled to vote according to his own opinion. He votes according to the dictates of bis conscience, and therefore the motion is not to be taken as a vote of no-con-fidence. (Hear, hear!) If we were voting on some action of yours, then it might be taken . s a vote of no-con-fidence. I feel that expresses the opinion of every member of the Board. Air Hornblow: Air Oram is quite right. It is not a vote of no-ccrfidenee in you, but in those who sent you here. The chairman: I have failed in a thing I have fought for so long, and I feel that I don’t want to stop on the Board any longer. Decision in Doubt. The motion was put to the meeting and on a show’ of hands five votes were given in favour of it and four against. The chairman stated that Air Tingey, who voted in favour of the motion, had done so against his convictions. Air Tingey said that the reason he voted with the chairman was on aero mt of the chairman’s remarks. He did not wish to imply that he had no confidence in him. The (hairman: I have been on the Board 12 years, and have been for eight years its chairman. I have never tak'ii exception to a motion against me, 1-nt this seems different. I have oppo.-cd this proposal and I don’t /think it a fair thing on the part of the Board. I think that the people should decide. Tf Mr Aitken had been here he would have voted against me, and then-fore I am going to hand in my resignation. Air Oram suggested that the chairman take time to consider the matter, and Air Adams thought the Board would be doing right if his decision was adjourned for a month. The secretary reminded the meeting that the result of the voting on tne motion had not been declared, and doubt was entertained by some members to whether it had been lost or carried. It was eventually decided to clear the matter up by taking a vote on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Air Adams, that the request of the deputation be not entertained. This was lost and a motion proposed by Air Oram and seconded by Air Coleman, that the Board accede to the request of the deputation, was carried. At the conclusion of the meeting Air Collins had taken no action in regard to his resignation.