RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 109, 11 May 1938, Page 8

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Clause In Education Bill POSTPONEMENT ANNOUNCED [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 10. It is the intention of the Ministc E Education. Hon. P. Fraser, to post one consideration of the clause n ie Education Amendment Bill deal ig with religious instruction ii •hools and to call a conference o i? churches and other organisation; ith a view to arriving at a solutior the problem. Addressing delegates to the educa onal conference to-day the Ministei id that the main provisions of thf ill constituted an honest effort foi lucational reform. Mr. Fraser sale ? was disappointed that he had not und it possible to embody the elecYii of boards in the Parliamentary, anchise, but the difficulties were

great and also the expense whirr would be involved. The Minister stated that many ol the provisions of the Education Bill would be amended by the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The question of control would be made definite and alterations might be made in the election of education boards and in the powers of school councils. Among the important features to be maintained were the election of representatives by the teachers, appointment of edur cation officers, right of appeal against non-appeintment, raising of the 1 school ago to 15 years and a clause dealing with the employment of married women as teachers. Speaking of religious education in schools, the Minister said: “I hope it 1 will he possible, by the exercise of goodwill and Christian forbearance ' and brotherhood, to avoid a controversy on a question that arouses feel- ’ ings out of all proportion to the part ] it plays in our education system;” TELEGRAM FROM MINISTER READ AT A(CKLAXD MEETING PASSES RESOLUTION I I’er I’rass Association.J AUCKLAND, May 10. The decision by the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, to recommend that no legislative action affecting the present religious exercises in State schooLs be taken pending consultation with the representatives of the churches and other organisations interested was announced at a public meeting under the auspices of the Bible-in-Schools League. A telegram from the Minister was also read undertaking that the status quo would not be interfered with pending consultations. The meeting passed the following resolution: — “This great meeting of Auckland citizens solemnly affirms that the recognition of Almighty God is the cornerstone of the education system of any Christian community and it protests against any move to withdraw even the small recognition now given. It rejoices in the decision of the Minister of Education to maintain the right now enjoyed under the Education Act pending a conference of all parties interested in the religious education of our children and calls on all Christian people to uphold their rights in this matter, while at the same time and in all charity safeguarding the *-'£zhts of minorities ’’