BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

West Coast Times, 21 June 1912, Page 4

BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

DEPUTATION TO T. E. Y. SEDDON M.P. FOR WESTLAND. A deputation consisting of Revs. A. Hore, J. Davie, and Roberts, representing the Protestant Churches of the district, waited upon Mr. T, E. Y. Seddon, M.P., yesterday, and presented a petition signed by a large number of electors. The petition, praying that the member would do his utmost to have a Bible in Schools Referendum Bill introduced immediately into Parliament, was as follows : To. T. E. Y. Seddon, Esq., M.P. for the Electoral District of Westland. The petition of the undersigned electors of your district humbly showeth: That the representatives of threefourths of the population of the Donnnion have come into agreement on the Bible in Schools question. That their agreement is in favour r< the New South Wales adoption in New Zealand of the New South Wales system of Religious Teaching. That they are desirous that a Bible in Schools Referendum bo immediately introduced into Parliament and made

That the Bill shall provide (1) for each elector of the Dominion having an opportunity of voting “Yes” or “No” in tljo question of the N.S.W. System of Religious Teaching in Sch- :■:)] s into the Dominion; and (2) for the N'.S.W. System being made law imTwdiatcly in New Zealand, if a majority of the electors shall vote “ Yes.” That your petitioners, while leaving in your hands the question of how best vo give effect to their reasonable desires, at the same time respectfully call upon you, and depend upon you t) use your utmost endeavours to have a Bible in Schools Referendum Bill, ns provided in this petition, introduced immediately into Parliament, and as soon as possible made law. Attached were over four hundred signatures.

In presenting the petition the Rev. Mr. Hero (Anglican), pointed out that the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodists representing 739,000 of the million inhabitants of New Zealand, had agreed that the Bible should bo introduced into the schools, and that the New South Wales system' host suited the felt need. He hoped the member would do all in his power to enable the people of New Zealand to get the Bible hack into the public schools. The Rev. Mr. Davie (Presbyterian) pointed out that education of the young was one of the most important duties undertaken by the State. The use of education was to make worthy individuals and good citizens, to procure such, moral training must bo given, and no moral training was of groat value unless it had the sanction of religion. He drew the attention of the Member to the fact that throe quarters of the people of tho Dominion wanted the Bible in Schools, and that as tho Government’s aim was to express in legislation the wishes of the majority of .the people, they must pay attention alien the people speak on such an important matter with no uncertain sound. Mr. Davie also pointed out the reasonableness of the petition. It asked (1) That'the people of New' Zealand have an opportunity of saying “yes” or “no” in tho question of tho introduction of the N.S.W. System of Religious Training in Schools into the Dominion; and, (2) That if a majority of the electors shall vote “ yes,” their wish he immediately made law. Those signing tho petition had realised tins, and the names of tho most influential and thoughtful citizens wore to he found on it.

The Roy. Mr Roberts (Methodist) said l (ho matter under consideration was outside party politics and was supremely important in that it affected - tho nation ai a whole. To make a State stable they must have good citizens, and such illustrious persons as tho late Queen Victoria and the late Mr. Gladstone behoved that this could only be maintained when tiie Bible became tho guide book of the young. Ho said the petitioners were not asking for a favour hut demanding their rights and he was sure Mr Soddon would use his good offices and deal with tho petition wisely and well.

Mi- Soddon, who received the deputation most cordially, expressed jliis appreciation of the reasonableness of Urn petition, tic realised that nothing could ho more fair, than that tho people should have an opportunity of saying “yes” or “no” on this important question which was wholly outside party politics. He .would bring the petition under the notice of the House ami ask that it ho submitted ta the Educational Committee, or a Special Committee, if necessary, and thus the whole matter would he examined by experts and a recommendation made by them to the House, Mir. Seddon said ho felt sure that they would report favourably, and this would practically ensure the passage of tho Bill through the House. He, personally, would do all in his power to give effect to the prayer of tho petition, Tho deputation thanked Mr. Seddon for his promised 'support and withdrew.