BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18350, 9 June 1931, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

ATTITUDE OF PRESBYTERIANS. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. A deputation representing the Dominion executive of the Bible in Sohools League waited on the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church this afternoon with reference to the new bill to be introduced in Parliament. Subsequently the Rev. Dr. E. N. Merrington brought down the public questions recommendation on the proposed Bible in Schools Bill and moved that the assembly approve generally of the provisions of it. Dr. Merrington, referring to Ihe concordat with the Roman Catholic Church, said that Church, like the Protestant Church, was convinced that the greatest foe to religious life and thought to-da.v was secularism and that Church had withdrawn its opposition \ to the Introduction of the Bible into State schools. Dr. Gibb said the bill was the best that had been brought forward during the last 30 years. Tho Rev. J. H. MacKcnzie, in opposing the recommendation of the committee contended that to open the schools to religious instruction, would be to increase the claims of the Roman Catholic Church to State aid seven-fold. The scheme could not he made effective without considerable cost to the taxpayer. The discussion was adjourned.