PASTORAL LETTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 7

PASTORAL LETTER

TO BE READ IN AUCKLAND DIOCESE RECOGNITION OF GOD IN PUBLIC”! SCHOOLS. [Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 1. A pastoral letter calling on all members of the Anglican communion to take a positive and decisive stand for the recognition of God in publicschools, is being issued by Archbishop Averill and is to be read in all Anglican churches in the Auckland diocese ■ next Sunday. In response to an inquiry, lhe Arch- ' bishop has received from the Minister ; of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, a de- 1 claration of his intentions concerning I religious exercises in school. The Minister says: “Clause 39 of the Education Amendment Bill proposes to give statutory opportunity for the Nelson system of religious instruction and provides for the ordinary opening time of schools being postponed or the ordinary closing time being advanced for half an hour on two days of each week for the purpose. I have indicated on several occasions that I consider the system of religious exercises introduced in recent years under the direction of the Bible-in-Schools League to be contrary Io the often expressed decision of Parliament and that I propose to give Parliament the opportunity to decide the matter in a definite manner. Ample opportunity will be give to representatives of the Bible-in-Schools League and all others interested to place their opinions before Parliament through the Education Committee of the House of Representatives before lhe matter is finallv decided.”