CROWING UNEASINESS

Chronicle (Levin), 19 October 1946, Page 5

CROWING UNEASINESS

Press Assnciation

GODLESSNESS OF COMSMENITY

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NEW PLiMOUTirl, Oct. 18. "Tliis is tlie major question concern ino- those interested in education in New Zealand today, for tliere is a growing uneasiness about the increasFng Godlessness of ihe commiuiity," declared Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., at a meeting of the Taranaki Education Board at New l'lymoutli yestenlay, when tlie question of rehrgious instruc tion in school was again under discus slon. , p 'J'he board received a eircular irom the ( 'anl erluiry Education Boaid asking for support iu> an ellorl. to bring up te date the Education Act of B'l-I and outliiling a nuniber of reiorms that were thought neccssary in the educat ional system. Mr. I'olson expressed surprise that there was no mention of tlie need toi religioos instruction. Tlie new Educa tion Act in England, he said, provided for religions instruction, and in 1 lie Sr-ot t ish Act the Government allowed Anglican, Presbyterian and ('atholiischools, provided their svllalmsos eon formed to oducational requi rements, te participate in the grants mudo. by tlu Stnte for education. There would be difiieulties in follow ing the Scottish Act, said Mr. Polson It might mean a tremendons amount oi dislocation and a great increase in tlu demaiid for denominational schools. Otu important factor was the indiffcrence oi the puldic to tlie religions instructioi. of their children. Many did not wam any interferonce with the present cou duct of the State schools. He though! the Scottish system could be given a trial. It was extraordinary that an educa 4ion board that had given so much study to education reforms had .omitted the question of religions instruction, h: commented. It appeared that Ihe sub ject was viewetl with a certain iiervous nessj and there was timidity about tack ling .a ccry controversial issne. ' The eljaifm^n,; Mr., Mr. II. Jones, saidthe report did' not cdaim to be coin prehensive. ''There is nndoubtedly a spiritual need which our schools do no. appear to supply," he added. A move towards more stability iu North Taranaki schools was required said ^rr. L. T. Aylward. The transfer of teachers so frequently was not desirable. Jrr. .Tones replied that that was often the result of a teacher's own action. The board deeided to support tlie ('anterl)urv Education Board in its action and to empliasise the vital need for better provision of religious instruction in schools.