PRIME MINISTER REPLIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES.

' FEAR OF SECTARIANISM. Tho Prime Minister, in reply, said he had been very' pleased to hear tho views of the speakers, and he wished to congratulate the speakers on tho extremely moderate maimer in which they ,had expressed themselves. He had heard the viows of tho other sido, and it was only right that bo should hear tho views of the league. There was one point, however, on which he was not quite clear. He would liko to liave heard a suggestion from tho deputation as to tho manner in which the question should bo put to the electors. That matter was very important, and it seemed to him a great deal would depend upon it. _ Even yet ho would like to hear their ppinion. "You have asked for legislation this session," he said. "On that point 1 have already spoken in the House and .outside of it, and I have expressed my opinion 011 more occasions than one. The Government havo decided that they will not submit any legislation this session with tho object of providing for a referendum on the Bible-in-schools question. That resolution, in my opinion, will not be altered. I am not going to commit the Government for or against any proposal that may bo submitted by them next session. So far as my own view is concerned, I may tell you this: as far as I am personally concerned I inn in favour of moral and religious teaching in the public schools of this Icountry. But here is the point on which I may probably differ from members of tho deputation: t am opposed to anything which may introduco sectarian differences and sectarian bitterness in our public schools —anything which will interfere with a sceular systom of education —and you have to convinco mo that what is proposed will not have that effect before I can look favourably 011 this sido of tlio question. I shall have great pleasure in submitting your representations to my colleagues in Cabinet at the very first opportunity." . One Clear Question. Canon Garland: Do you want us to say anything on the form of tho question? • Mr. Massey: Yes. * Canon Garland said that the .best answer ho could give was that so long as tlio principle was included in the question that every child should havo an opportunity of reading Biblo lessons, that- even - child should nave the right to bo taught tho faith'of its fathers and that tho decision 011 this should bo in tlie hands of tho parents—so long as this principle was contained, they would bo content as to" the form in which '.he. question was put. But it should bo one question and ono only to which tho elector would have to answer 0110 "Yes" or ono "No." _ Mr. Massey: Would you object to drafting a question and submitting it to mo? Canon Garland: Wo shall be most happy to do so. Ho went on to speak of Mr. Massey' 3 fear as to tho introduction of sectarian strife. Ho advised Mr. Massey to apply for information to those centres where tlio system had already been in force, in some for half a century. By the result-of this inquiry they would be. content to abide. In conclusion, he said: "We stand as advocates of a national system of education in preference to a State-aided denominational system, provided that keystone can bo fitted into the arch of the national system, which will make it so secure that, no assault will over shako it."