THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 57, 30 May 1874, Page 9

THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Ik tbe Provincial Council on Tuesday Mr Ireland moved, " That in the opinion of this Council, the reading of the Bible in the public schools of this Province should not be compulsory, but that tbe Scaool Committees, with the sanction of the Edncation Board, Bhonld have the power to permit the reading of- the Bible, subject to the restrictions contained in the Education Ordinance." According to the Census of 1671, there were 13,493 persons who were not Protestants, and though to persons of that denomination the teaching of the Bible in the public schools might seem quite right, he thought it hard that a man should be compelled to pay for what he did not conscientiously believe to be true. It was well known that Roman Catholics were under the impression that the teaching of the Bible should only be imparted through their priests ; and he considered if people -were taxed in support of a system which their consciences condemned, it would be a flagrant injustice. It might be Baid that tho Bible was merely read in the schools, and that Biblical instruction was not imparted ; but it really seemed inconsistent that the statement should be made that a book was read, but that its contents were not taught. He had in tho first instance intended moving the abolition of the reading of the Bible in the schools altogether, but he subsequently thought it best to give the system now proposed a trial. If a man held opinions honestly, they ought to be respected, and it was not for the Council to say whose opinion was right and whose was wrong. An amendment was proposed by Mr Lumsden to the effect that the words '' should be discontinued " be introduced after the word " Bible," making the motion to read ," That the reading of the Bible be discontinued in the public schools of the Province." Mr Stout spoke in favor of the motion, alloging that if it wore the duty of the State to interfere in religion, it should go farther, and there must be a State Church. If the matter were left to the people to decide, he believed the majority would give way to the minority, sooner than the latter should have their feelings shocked. Mr Reeves considered that if the Bible wero read to the children in school without comment, as stated, it was far more pernicious than if left alone altogether. Under these circumstances he would support the amendment.

Mr Mollison spoke against both the motion and the amendment.

Ultimately the House divided on the first-mentioned part of the amendment to introduce, after the word " Bible," the words " should be discontinued." This was lost by 20 votes to 16. The following is the division list : —

Ayes, 16 : Messrs. Eastings, J. C. Brown, G. Fl.F 1 . C. Browne, R. Clarke, Daniel, Fish (teller), Green, Hallenstein, Hazlott, Ireland, Kinross, Lumsden, McKellar, Oliver, Reeves, Stout (teller) JS T oss, 20 : Messrs Allan, H. Clark (teller), Cumraing,"lle La, Henderson, Menzies (teller;, Mollison, MclJermid, M cGI ur McKenzie, McLean, McNeil, Keid, Reynolds, lioberta, Ro^e ter, Turnbull, Wilson, Wood.