A SHORT HISTORY OF THE NELSON SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 5

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE NELSON SYSTEM

Sir, —I have just read the Itev. Mr. Mackenzie's letter of tlris morning, and still hold that tho Nelson system began at tho time of tho memorable committee election hold in the Provincial Hall of that city. Tho improvement made in 1897 was a continuation, not a break. Tho Bank of New /Zealand was still tho same bank before and after failure was changed into success. But the Itov. Mr. Mackenzie grants all I want when lie says of the Nelson system, "That which was boforo a failure has now become a success." Tho continuity' of tho Nelson system is here clearly implied. His attack upon Miss Gitscctgno thoreforei completely breaks down, and surely ho will have the grace to offer an apology. Let him reHect too upon tho exquisite pain his thoughtless cruel imputations must have caused. If they arc necessary to his argument its plight is indeed despicable. :' The date of tho election meeting referred to was November 19, 1886. Previously, respectfully worded applications for tlio use of the school-rooms outside of school liours had been made to several successive committees, of which Mr. John Graham was chairman and ruling spirit. All these applications wero answered by stubborn refusals. The committees, ono after tho other, had been determinedly secularist and would not hear of any compromise. There was then no option but to fight tho question out at the annual meeting of householders, for the election of a committeo.' Strenuous preparations were made on both sides for tho impending conflict, and secularism was active in repeating baseless prophecies of disaster and sectarian bitterness, and so gained many votes. The voting was cumulative, and the rival leaders agreed tliat :a referendum should be taken with tho votes. According to tho plan arranged tho names of tlio secularist candidates wero exhibited written upon a blackboard under an approved heading indicating their causo. A second blackboard' similarly prominently displayed the names of tho Biblcin schools' candidates, and a third the names of those who refused to pledge themselves. The hall was densely crowded by men and women who had come to' vote for or against Bible in schools. It was a great battle, and at tlio end, when tho figures went up on the blackboards against tho several names, it was seen that the over deceitful Damo Fortune had awarded four out of the seven prizes to tho secularists. Tho first prizo went to the Rev. Mr. Kemptliorne, tho champion of tlio Bible-in-Schools' party. Tlio second went to the secularist leader, Mr. John Graham, who was a hundred votes behind. Quick as lightning, tho moment the winners of the prizes wero known, tlio successful secularists in exuberant jubilation leaped and danced upon the platform, .and thence delivered their boasts, taunts and thanks. But whilst all this was going on, others cast up the numbers shown on tho referendum black-boards and discovered that the secularists had bean shouting themselves hoarse over a hollow victor, for they lost on tho referendum by some 450 votes. Now keen disappointment began to gnaw their hearts, tor a starting point had been won for tho new system. When the path of duty lios before him difficulties do not daunt tlio Rev. Mr. Kemptliorne, and it is to his strong persistence that tho Nelson system ever came into vogue. Biblelessons were given beforo the secular (course began, and have so been given over since. The secularists did not however cease from all obstruction. Tliey still had power on tho committee, and demanded that tho names of all those who were to give religions lessons 'should bo first approved by the committee. Tlio reasonableness of this demand trtis recognised, although the formali- • ties caused a certain amount of delay. During the eleven succecding years, down to 1897, the movement made slow progress, but all the timo secularism was losing its hold very porceptibly. It never recovered from tho fatal blow administered in ISB6. Tlio experienco of these years showed tho great disadvantage .of having to persuade children to shorten their playtime and lengthen their hours in a school-room of which they had quite enough already. Boferenco was made to the Act and it was found'that only two consecutive hours ' in tho forenoon need be given to secular instruction. The first half-hour was then an extra that might bo allotted to religious teaching. Tho Rev. Mr. Mackenzie suggested that oiie of these half-, hours overy week should bo so used. Now at that time both ho and the Bev. Mr. Kemptliorne wero'on tliQ local committee, and they, after explaining their views, had no difficulty in obtaining tho concession, for tho committee had been by this timo effectually purged of secularism. This was then incorporated with • tho system, and a great forward movement followed. "But the daring innovation was much moro than tlio defeated secularist leader could stomach, and lie promptly made an effort to put a stop to such a "high-handed" proceeding. Tho Bible-in-Schools' party determined to fight and beat him again, and armed themselves with a legal opinion in their favour from Sir Robert Stout. But tlicy wero not called upon, and the Education Board, did not interfere. Causa finita est. The position is now securer than ever, and anyone venturing to disturb it in tho interests of secularism would bring down upon himself general indignation. There is no friction and practically all tho children attend tho classes. In the eastern group of schools, with 541 children ou tho roll,, only 22 do not attend the classes. Three of these aro Roman Catholics, somo run newspapers, some milk, whilst tho remainder aro glad of any excuso to get out of the schoolrooms. In the western group, with CGI children, only seven fail to put in an appearanco. But tho Nelson system, oven in its present development, 'has grave defects, and these have been pointed out. It may bo tho best possible under existing circumstances, but it cannot become universal. This must be evident from tho skotcli 1 havo given. The difficulties are groat. Secularism has to bo driven headlong out of tho local committeo room's, where it has been in undisputed possession for years. Takaka tried and failed. Further, Education Hoards must not he hostile. Tho Wellington and Auckland Boards havo absolutely refused to allow tho system. It is at best precarious, and according to Mr. Mackenzie's theorios of Church and Stato must remain so, for tho moment the Stato gives any sanction whatever thoso theories must bo violated, and not only so, but Roman Catholics would havo a crying grievance. Tho newly-proposed system is of a different character. It is fair all round. As pioneer Nelson has done invaluable | work. Sho has shown that oiico Bible . lessons aro given in schools they be-1;

como more and moro popular, also that tho secularist prophecies of friction, religious bitterness and the rest have no justification whatever. A visit to Nelson would supply tho Prime Minister with all tho information and satisfaction ho asked tlio Bible-in-Schools' deputation for. —I am, etc., ORANUM SALIS. September 8. 1913. ■