BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 40, 7 December 1905, Page 6

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

THE TEACHERS' VIEWS

On last Saturday the members of the South Canterbury Education Institute met at Timaru. The most animated discussion at *he teachers' meeting (says Monday's ' Timaru Herald ') took place o\er the motions notified for the annual meeting of the Institute, regarding Bible reading and religious instruction The Ilawke's Bay district Institute moves • — ' That the introduction of Religious Instruction and Bible Reading into State .Schools is not desirable ' The Wellington Institute moves :—' That the NZ. Educational Institute streMiously protest's against the proposal that primary school teachers of New Zealand shall be asked to give Bible instruction during school hours on the following grounds: — (a) That such a proposal, embodying as it does, a conscience clause for

teachers, is an indirect menace to the security of our tenure, (b) That the carrying of such a proposal is a retrograde action for the State inasmuch as it will logically lead to the re-establishment of denominational schools.' .Mr. Kalaugher moved that the South Canterbury delegates be instructed to oppose these remits. The president said there was a considerable feeling against <ienominational teaching ; but there could be Bible reading without religious teaching. Mr. Johnson doubted whether Bible reading could be allowed without allowing grants to Catholic schools. That was the position they had to face ; and if the Roman Catholics got grants, other Churches would have an equal right to them, and they would have denominationalism back again. At present no one could have any grievance on conscientious religious grounds, but if the Protestant Bible was introduced, a grievance would be provided. Mr. Smart understood that the supporters of Bible reading proposed that it should he read without comment. He thought that would be worse than useless. The chairman said they proposed to give the dictionary meaning of words, and to see that the children remembered the facts read. They recognised that it would be impossible to get denominational teaching into the schools. Mr. Kalaugher : That is what they are trying to get in. Mr. Valentine (one of the delegates) : I don't icare what instructions you give me. lam going to support the first remit because it refers to religious instruction. Mr. Smart, another delegate, said he also would support it. The meeting unanimously agreed to support the remits. Mr. Johnson said that most of the Parliamentary candidates said that if Bible reading was introduced they must vote for grants for Roman Catholic schools, lie had not tabulated their replies, but generally the questions and answers seemed to bo: Are you in favor of Bible reading in schools *> — No. — If Bible reading is introduced would you give grants to Roman Catholic schools 9 — Yes. Mr. Kalaugher said that apart from the Bible reading question he favored giving grants to Roman Catholic schools.

Intending visitors to Christchurch will be pleased to know that tho popular Cafe de J^aris has been taken possession of by Mr. P. Burke, who will leave nothing undone to insure the continued support of his many old friends.. .