SCHOOLS & SCRIPTURE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1866, 27 September 1913, Page 7

SCHOOLS & SCRIPTURE.

Opinion of AVellington teachcrs on religious teaching in schools was voiced at tho meeting of the local branch of tho Educational Institute last evening.

Mr. D. M. Poison moved: "That in tho ovent of tho introduction of tho Nelson system, or any other similar system'of religious instruction into the State schools, this institute is Tory strongly of opinion that Stato school teachers should be dobarred from takiug any part whatevor in such religious instruction." The proposer expressed tho hope that that question would be freely discussed, but added, "I don't caro which way it goes." Ho was afraid that if tho system was introduced there would bo unconscious bias, and that a clerical testimonial would carry undue weight, and be a very potent factor in any selection of teachers. Ho agrcod that no child's educa.tion was complete without religious instruction, and ho also thought that tho Nelson system was tho host. Miss Myers, after appealing to Mr. Poison to postpone his uiotion, seconded it pro forma, remarking that sho had written for particulars of a movement in Sydney to secularise Sunday schools. Mr. Parkinson remarked that thero would bo no referendum this year, and that nest your tho Education Act was tp be overhauled; thon would bo the time for them to fight off any burdens which might bo added. That question was like the salary question—it was hung up for this year. Mr. AY. T. Grundy supported tho motion, but pointed out that under the Nelson system teachers were not compelled to givo religious instruction. He objected very strongly to tho Stato having anything to do with the teaching of religion, and submitted that teachers would be in a vory dangorous position if they gavo "religious instruction, as profcreneo would be given to those who were prepared to give such instruction. Under tho Nelson system the staff was merely present to givo moral support to the one who gavo religious instruction. Mr. AYebb remarked tha,t lie would novcr teach religion in connection with his daily work as a Stato teacher, but they could not debar a teacher, by motion or legislation, from teaching religion if he so desired. Mr. Poison, in replying, again appealed for everyone to vote, remarking "I don't believe in dumb dogs."

The motion was then put to tho vote, and declared to be carried.