THE BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 4

THE BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Six,—-i 'have read with a. good deal of intere^,.sie,,.account. of, the deputation which Araiicd on rtlio Prime/Minesfar. last Saturday in opposition to the proposal of the Bible-in-Sehools League. As a native of'.'New South Wales, and 0110 educated under its public school system, I confess to 'being puzzled at the opposition to the system .in operation there. It is a system giving satisfaction _to the peoples' of . Australia, numbering several 'times qvcr the c-ntiro population of the Dominion of New, Zealand.; I venture to assert that he would bo a bold man who would "Sve to suggest to the people- of Australia a repeal of present condntions. Of course the system is not perfect—no human system can. be —hut it is one that is tried and proved by several States of the Commonwealth, and giving satisfaction. 1 do,not .profess, to have the faintest idea how the" people of the Dominion would vote on the question if it were submitted to tiihm, nor I do not understand Mr. Atkinson's fear to "trust the people." Nor do I think, the Bible-in-Sehools League have a monopoly of "religious bigotry and political cant," to quote his expression. I conceive it is quite possible for honest men to differ on a question like this without descending to a.buse. It is an accepted dictum in modern politics that the majority must rule;'it is impossible that it should be otherwise. And why not in such a matter as this'? Surely it is a reflection on the intelligence of the people of this Dominion to suggest that they should not be trusted to say. in the dearest and most positive manner whether they wish the Bible taught as part of the education system of the Dominion. It_ must not be forgotten that provision' is made in the proposed system that all ohikliren whose parents wish ■ it are exempted, from the teaching. The people of New Zealand need have no fear_ as to the stiraina up of sectarian feeling. Why should' it bo so here, any more than in Australia, and it certainly has not done so there. Evidence abounds on every hand that the system is fraught with untold advantago in the' schools of the Commonwealth. Why bo afraid of it in the Dominion.? —I am, etc.. W. E. COOKS. Missions to Seamen, Wellington,