BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

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

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

THE DEFENCE LEAGUE PERSONAL ATTACKS DEPLORED The executive of the New Zealand National Schools Defence League met at Emerson- Hall, Ingestro Street, on Friday night, and transacted somo important business in connection with tho recent deputation to tho Primo Minister and with tho general plan of campaign. Mr. A. K. Atkinson, who presided, said that ho thought tho organisation was to bo congratulated upon tho effect of its first public move. Tlio deputation that waited upon Mr. Massey had presented its caso m a manner that'impressed tho Government, and had also impressed the public. Mr. Massev's sympathetic reply, and in particular liis declaration that the Government would do nothing inconsistent with the free, sccular, and compulsory character of tho primary education system, had given great satisfaction. Tho deputation, Mr. Atkinson remarked, had been a great success in another way, for it had produced in several of tho Wellington churches on Sunday last an exhibition which should servo as an object-lesson in the danger that was'threatened to the peace of tho community by anything that made for sectarian strife. 110 had never accused tlio Bible-in-schools party of hypocrisy and bigotry, nor had he over harboured sucli a foolish and insulting thought. Tho solid grievance of tho Bible-in-Schools League was his strenuous advocacy of tile Nelson system. His personal belief was that the system was the key of tho position, and ho thought that all tho branches of the Defence Leaguo should be asked lo consider it.

Mr. W, T. Grundy, headmaster of tho Clyde Quay School, said that voluntary religious teaching had been for somo timo given in tho aftornoons at his school, and that tho average attendance was 100, and it was steadily increasing. A general discussion took place as to the merits of tho Nelson system, and tho attitudo to bo adopted by tho league towards it. _ It was resolved to make further inquiry into tho operation if the system, and to bring tho matter before the local leagues. On Professor Hunter's motion, it was resolved:— "That this executive expresses tho gratification at the report of tho deputation from tho league which waited on the. Primo Minister and •tho Minister for Education, and at tho straightforward assurance of the Primo Minister that tho.Government would do nothing inconsistent with tho free, compulsory, and secular principle in primary educa- ' tiou."

Tho following .resolution, moved by Mr. John Hutcheson, and seconded by Professor M'Kenzio, was also passed:— "That this executive deeply deplores the personal attacks upon the' president of the loaguo in several of tho Wellington churches on Sunday last, and the failure of Archdeacon Harper, Canon Garland, Rev. Dr. Gibb, and Rev. • G. S. Cook to withdraw tho charges after- thoy havo been conclusively proved to be baseless; and calls tho attention of tho public to tho gravo public danger represented by. tho , unjust and uncharitablo spirit displayed in tho attacks, and tho necessity for keeping it as far re- . moved as possiblo from a position of authority ivith regard to publio •schools'." v. • ' ,