TEACHERS' DISABILITIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1729, 21 April 1913, Page 8

TEACHERS' DISABILITIES.

Sir— opponents of the platform of the Bible-in-Stnte-School.s League havo made nnd published statements far and wide that the' teachers in New South Wales are subjected to disabilities in regard to religious and other action, and have attempted to draw the conclusion that these alleged disabilities wero the consequence of religious instruction in State schools.

I have before me the latest edition of the Public Instruction Act and regulations thereunder of New South Wales, issued by the Government Printer, 1912. There is nothing whatever in the Act itself imposing any restriction upon the teachers.- In the regulations tho only .reference of the kind is Scction 30, which reads:—

"Teachers are to refrain from all action in public matters that will interfere with tho welfare of the schools in their charge, or with their usefulness as teachers."

I refrain from- comment upon tho action.of those who havo sought to lead public opinion in this matter upon inadequate information.

May I, however, draw attention to the . the regulation its to alleged disabilities quoted by our opponents actually exists, and has existed in Queensland for over 30 years; aiid that it originated and w;is in existeneo when there was mo religious instruction in Stato schools. If our opponents had been anxiousl merely to arrive a't tho truth of the matter they would, in making reference to New South Wales, have also mentioned the fact that the regulation iflicv quoted existed in Queensland, and could not be tho consequence of religious instruction, because it was there when Micro was no religious instruction.—l am, etc DAVID J. GARLAND. . Organising. Secretary. April 16.