BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1757, 23 May 1913, Page 6

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

HOW THEY DO IN QUEENSLAND.

AN INSPECTOR'S EXPERIENCE. Mr. W. L. Gripp, one of the senior inspectors in the Department of Public Instruction in Queensland, was, the guest of a number of Wellington teachers at Godber's rooms last evening, when an informal discussion took place on the subject of Bible lessons in schools as they are conducted ill Queensland, in which State such lessons have formed part of tho school curriculum for the past two years. Mr. Geo. Flux, headmaster of South Wellington School, presided, and, when istroducing Mr. Gripp, explained that their visitor wished it to be understood that he did not wish to take up a partisan attitude, one way or the otherhe was prepared to state facts in regard to the operation of the system ns lie had observed it in his oiiicial position.

Mr. Gripp then gavo a short review of the system which had been adopted in Queensland as tho result of the referendum which had been carried by popular vote. Under tho system, teachers worn required to givs from half an hour to one hour per week to the reading of the prescribed text-book, while tho clergy of the respective denominations, had the right of eutrv for tfie, purpose of imparting religious instruction on another hour in each week. As a matter of convenience to tho school routine it was usual, in tho larger schools, for all tho .ministers (o come at tho same hour, and take their respective adherents to separate classrooms. In tho smaller schools, where tho accommodation did not permit of such simultaneous instruction being given, different arrangements had. of course, to be made. From his own observation, ho could say that there had been practically uo friction, aud tho influence of these lessons upon the ordinary work of the school—in regard to tho time taken from the school week to meet tho requirements of the Bible lessons and clergymen's visits, was not appreciable. The Roman Catholic Church was represented at the conference which framed tho text-book, but beyond that took no interest in the school lessons.

In reply to a question, Mr. Gripp said that tho school syllabus had not been modified when tho Biblo lessons were first introduced, but tho Department _ was now preparing a new curriculum, lightening the ordinary school work a little.

Mr. W. T. Grundy (headmaster of tho Clyde Quay School) inquired whether any of tho teachers had suffered any disability on account of conscientious objections to their lessons. Mr. Gripp pointed out that tho Education Department in Queensland was highly centralised, and all appointments were made by the Minister. The question of local influence in regard to appointments, therefore, was not affected- Ho was not prepared to say whether that question would be affected by tho introduction of tho system into New Zealand, where the control of education was decentralised. With regard to the position of tho school children in their relation to tho clergymen who visited the schools, he could safely say that there was no proselytising —the parents decided what classes their children should attend.

In reply to further questions by various teachers, Mr. Gripp pointed out that in Queensland, the teachers were Civil Servants, and, as such, were not permitted to criticise publicly the policy of tho Department.

Mr. C. Watson (headmaster of the To Aro School), indicating tho text-book, referred to the inclusion of certain matter having relation to the miraculous—a subject' upon which fierce differences of opinion existed even 'within the churches. llow was a teacher to deal with that?

Mr. Gripp: As it is in tho book—just as it's there.

Mr- Grundy remarked that it would be difficult to treat tho text-book as tho other subjects of the curriculum would be treated by an intelligent teacher with iuoderft ideas. The present idea was to encourage tho child to ask questions. If a child asked questions how was a teacher to get over it? "I- don't know how ho would got over it," said Mr. Gripp. > "Refer the child to the Minister?" Mr. Gripp agreed that that would relieve the teacher of the responsibility. After the discussion, refreshments wero handed round, and the talk passed on to general topics.

SOUTH WELLINGTON LEAGUE

The Wellington South branch of the Biblo-in-Schoo 1 s Leaguo met in St. Thomas's Schoolroom. Riddiford Street, Newtowo, oil Wednesday evening last. Archdeacon Eancourt was in the chair, supported by tho Rev. J. Ward. An apology for absenco was received from the Rev. W. Shirer. The chairman said the object of the meetin!: was to canvass tho district for referendum supporters. The Rev. J. Ward stated that tho meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, v.-hich passed a vote against the Bible-in-Schools movement, was not a representative one of the Wellington branch. He also strongly advocated tho canvassing of the district. Various committees were set up, and a large portion of tho district'was assigned to volunteers who came forward in response to the appeal for canvassers.