BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 10

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

AN ADVERSE REPORT. PETITIONS TO HOUSE. (FEES 9 AMOCXMW* TEIBGBAM.) WELLINGTON, October 25. The A to L Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives reported to-day on a number of petitions relating t the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, now before the House. The committee's report, presented by Mr E. P. Hudson, was as follows: "I am directed to report that the committee has heard evidence on the subject matter of these petitions, and is of opinion that the New Zealand State system of free, secular, and compulsory education, under whiflh our children have received incalculable benefits, and under which alter fifty years' experience our people, the immense majority of whom have passed through our schools, compare most favourably, morally, socially, and religiously with the people of any other part of the world, should be maintained; further, that the committee is fullv alive to the value of Biblical and religious instruction, aud is of opinion that full opportunity should be given for the adoption of a voluntary system, such as that known as the' Nelson system, in which the teaching is imparted outside the statutory school hours, under which the State exercises no authority in religious matters,\ and under which there is no compulsion or violation of the rights of conscience. Mr Atmore (Nelson) said the report of the committee would give great satisfaction to many people in New Zealand, who recognised that there coulc. be no greater disservice to religion than to ask the State to teach it. The committee, by five to two, had reached its conclusion, and the two who had supported the Bill expressly stated they were in favour of the Nelson system, which had been most successfully run for thirty years.. The discussion was earned on by Mr Fraser (Wellington Central), who traversed the evidence given before the committee, stressing that given by Mr J. Caughley, ex-Director of Education, and M- T. B. Strong, the present Director of Education, who were cordially agreed that the Bill violated the first principles of education and teaching. Mr H, Holland (Christehurch North) said the report of the committee was not so serious as it might appear, since three members of the committee were absent who otherwise would have voted against the report. The vote would then have depended on the casting vote of the chairman. The discussion was proceeding when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. for dinner, and was in the evening.