BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 6, 2 October 1907, Page 3

BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS.

AN IMPETUOUS COMMTTEE. A curious position has arisen in ,-ospcct of a proposal to introduce J>ih!o lessons at the Clyde Quay ishool. Ths retiring secretary cf the Council of Churches (the Rev. J. r.-ibsnn Smith) sxplained at the meeting on Monday night that- seven ministers had pledged, themselves to-.help in giving iiia lcj.-ons. A deputation rfns to have waited upon the school committee to request permission for the giving of this instruction, but the committee ovidently. thought .that I,'iore was no need to hoar a deputation, and, without waiting for it, .-{ranted privileges which were not quite'. what tlio Council wanted, 'i'heir clcsiro was to address tho children during school hours, in accordance rith the Nelson system. The com-, mittce, gave them leave to hold the Ijssous when the school was over, and sdicn only those, children who were under strong,commands from parents would think of staying. Ho did not r,upposs the. seven ministers would think of taking up tho work under those conditions. (A member: "Certainly not."). Thq matter had sincc been in abeyance pending tho return to Wellington of tho headmaster. Some discussion took place as to whether a committee had the power t;n allow Bible reading within school hoi/rs, and it was agreed that that depended on the minimum number of ■ hours which it was-obligatory to dovote to ordinary subjects. Ultimately it was decided to clear up this question thoroughly, and then wait on the committee again, some time when the headmaster should bo present.