THE SCHOOLS AND THE REFERENDUM.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1945, 31 December 1913, Page 6

THE SCHOOLS AND THE REFERENDUM.

To' those of the public who have lot yet rccognised the earnestness mcJ strength behind the agitation t tor the introduction of Bible-reading . into the State schools of the Dorain- ' ion, the brief summary of events ' connected with the movement which wo publish to-day in our review of the past year's happenings should 1 afford enlightenment. At the outset of the campaign many people held the view that it would run its brief course and gradually fade away into-that oblivion which has. from time to time engulfed similar attempts to secure a.recogniscd place for the Bible in our State schools. Far from anything of this kind happening it. has been apparent for many months past that the question raised by the Bible-in-State-Schools League will have to be squarely faced by Parliament and the country before it is disposed of. In, the teeth of very, determined and able opposition from what is known.- as the secular system Defence League, the movement claiming for the people the right to decide for themselves by a .Referendum whether their children shall receive Bible lessons in the State schools, has grown enormously in strength. It is not necessary to recapitulate here the evidence placed before the Prime Minister by Oa\o>? Garland and his follow workers in support of their claim for a Referendum on the subject. Over 100,000 signatures of bona-fide electors were produced in support of this claim, and in addition there;is a heavy weight of Church opinion behind it which cannot be lightly passed over. It is not our purpose to discuss the details, of the proposed change nor the contentions of the opposition raised against it.' The point we wish to emphasise at the moment is the j fact, which has become increasingly ! obvious, that the question has assumed an importance which demands for it the early attention of Parliament. Like the liquor question it is not one which politicians are likely to display any keen zest in handling. Public opinion is divided concerning it and the average politician as a rule ■ is anxious to avoid issues which may divide party ad- > herents into hostile'camps!' In these : circumstances-the Bible-in-Schools 1 League have shown wisdom in af- : fording Parliament a means of ' keeping the question separated from ! party polities by'proposing that it j should bo "settled by the direct vote ] of; the, people themselves. It is a j matter.:.directly, affecting the people | and is one upon which they are quali- i fied and entitled to express a direct, opinion.'. 1 At the present time little thought is,given to politics, or indeed to .any.;, matters of serious moment;.:'," The majority of the public ave.eiiii Improperly devoting, themselves to a whole-hearted,, enjoyment of the .holiday; season.■■ But the subject is 'one which is bound to come into,;...increased prominence during 'ihe'eoining^year,.- and must plav a leading."partiamongst .-the .-.public questions'? which "will come '• forward for discussion and - decision. .It is well therefore that it shoukl'-Bc kept fii ndcip? 4 ! hc^noticc-of ;..cit-izens so that ,thc}ymay*fami]!arjsc-ithcmsclvos .or refresh ;:their incmorks>' ; with. its" more important features, - : ... '