TO-NIGHT'S SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 182, 27 April 1908, Page 6

TO-NIGHT'S SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Assuiiring, apparently;.-that tlie end justifies the means, the Citizens' Bible-in-Schools League, which canle into existence not long after the historic prophgaiida initiated, by the New. Zealand • Bible-in-Schools League two or three years ago,, lias issued,, to individual members of the various , sohool committees in'the Wellington educational district, a remarkable cii'cular.': '"On behalf ; of the Citizens' " Bible-in-State-Schools League," writes Mr. • M. D. Al'Leod (the League's organiser), "I enclose a leaflet setting forth the objects and platform .of the League, and, am instructed to ask you. to be good enough to .state whether you favour the introduction of the Bible into the schools of the Dominion.(or otherwise), on the lines of our platform, or whether, you favour its, introduction on any other lines. Our reason for asking this question is that you being a member of a school Committee, . and likely, to seek re-eleotion, we desire to be in,a position to acquaint our members residing in your'district with the views held by candidates for. the school committee." The salient points of the " platform " referred to in the circular are:—1. The Bible to be read as a classic. 2. No comments allowed, except' geographi--cal, grammatical, and historical. 3. Only the State school teacher to supervise the Bible-reading. 4. Any teacheror scholar having conscientious objections, may be eieused from the Bible lessons. The intentions of the League are so plainly, disclosed in the , foregoing that explanations would appear to be • superfluous. In a word, it is suggested to members of school committees at present in office that if they do not acquiesce iu the policy of the League as enunciated in its platform, .an endeavour will be made at the annual elections, which take place this evening) to secure the-return of individuals who will do so. This .method of achieving the object .of the Biblo-in-Sclldols League will, we receive very small support. It becomes necessary, however, in view of the regrettable apathy which characterises tlie public attitude towards school ebniiuittees, to emphasise the fact, that if the purpose of tlie Citizens' Bible-iil-Schools League is achieved the religious, question will be trans- , ferred from the public arena to the : schools themselves, with tlie result that ■ every school district will be liable to become the local centra of more or less i] sectarian strife. In the circumstances,

we trust that householders will realise their responsibilities, anil attend the meetings to-night in such force as will ensure the election" of committeemen ou grounds quite apart from the Bible-reading-iu-schools issue..