THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 9

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

LEAGUE FORMED IN AUCKLAND. An Auckland branch of Iho league which, lias been constituted -for tlfn purpose of urging upon (lie \ ow /, oa lniid Government tho necessity of securing the, opinion ot the people m regard to tho introduction of tho teaching of tlin Bible m .State- schools was formc-d on Tuesday evening. -A largely-at tended meeting was hold in tho I'itt Street Methodist Church tho Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. l-rossley)' . presiding; The Revs. \V. • Ready, 1. Jolly, and A. Miller wero also ' upon the platform. Uishftp t.'rossloy said it was desired that the children should secure a better education than they wore at present being given, and therefore he had no apology jo mako for urging that religious education should form a part of the curriculum »t (he Slate schools. In the Bible was to bo found tho highest: of literature, and they claimed it was right: that: tho teachers should bo allowed to use tho book. It was not desired, however, to forco religious teaching on anyone, and they did not wu'.it to trespass on anyone's 'right to freedom uf conscience. The question. ' was not: one for any pari icnltir Government, but should bo decided bv n voto of the whole pmple. Archdeacon Willis, who has had personal experience of the working of tho New South Wales system, said that iit ' New South Wales, Tasmania, West Aits, tralia, and Queensland teachers wero obliged to read portions of tho Bible to' tho children, while an opportunity was . also given to Iho-clergymen to gi'vo in-' slruction during school hours to tho children of their own people. Any parent could withdraw a child from tho religious ("Caching if ho so desired. Tlio experience of New South Wales was an answer In " any possible objection that could bo brought against the introduction of the system into Xr.w Zealand.

Tho following resolution, moved by Mr. L. J. Bagnull, and seconded by Archdeacon Willis, was carried unanimously: —"That this meeling decides to form a bianch of (ho Bible in State Schools Leagno for the Auckland district, the. object of such league being to secure legislation for tho introduction of tho Now South Wales system of liible lessons into the schools of New Zealand."

On tlio molion of Dr. 1!. Hobortson, seconded by the ftev. ]{-. L. Wulkor, tho meeting expressed tlio hopo that Canon Garland, who has boon appointed from Australia to orgamV.o the movement in New Zealand, might meet, with success in his campaign. ' The following officers were elected:—President, Bishop Crowley;, vice-presidents. Archdeacon Willis, lfcvs. I. Jolly, and W. ]?, Heady; joint secretaries, Ke-vs. Walter Jl'l.eau, Kobjohnsi and Mr.]{. Clark; committee, Arclnloaenn Calder, Iter. W. Gillam, Canon M'Jliirray, llcvs. G. Bond, A.' CV I.awry, A. Miller, 11. Knowles, Kctnplon, Adjutant Hevwood, Mes«r.-. C. jr. Calder, C. .T. 'I'unks.'L. J. Bagnall, .T. W. Stewart. G. C. Garlick, Anibury, Burton, Boskill, Brnckcnnj-, and Dr. Itoberton.