BIBLE IN SCHOOLS,

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1551, 21 September 1912, Page 13

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS,

. THE POSITION IN VICTORIA. In the Victorian Legislative Assembly on September 11 Mr. Hutchinson gave notice of his intention to move for leave to in- • troduce a Bill to provide for taking a referendum on the question of Scripture lessons in State schools. This action was tho result of a conference held by members of the House who are favourable to a referendum, which, it was 6aid, would tho lines taken in Queensland, where lessons aro now given in accordance with the referendum decision. Tho counting of heads in the Legislative Assembly made by those who favour Bible lessons in State schools has convinced them that the vote will be very close. When the last vote was taken there was a majority of eight against the referendum, but those who are now moving in the matter state that the elections since held have made tho numbers about equal. It was, however, stated in tho lobbies that tho attitudo of some members is uncertain. In the Legislative Council, it is stated, thero is a majority in favour of a referendum. It is suggested that tho vote should bo taken on tho occasion of the Federal elections next year. The ;State Government has already promised to afford facilities to any private moraber who wishes to bring forward a Referendum Bill, tho Cabinet being divided on the question.

Sir Gilbert Clmighton, chairman of the London and North-Western Railway Company, related at Dudley what ho described as the "inner history' of the baronetcy ho received in tho last Birthday Honours list He said that a year ago ho was unable to attend a local function, and the thon Mayor of Dudley had tho audacity to say he was absent bocauso he 'had.been called to London to bo knighted. That statement eventually found its way into "Votes for Women, and was forwarded to the Prime Minister, who felt ho must make Ins apologies a vear later. That was the story of how it happened. (Laughter.)