N.Z. NATIONAL SCHOOLS DEFENCE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2154, 21 May 1914, Page 7

N.Z. NATIONAL SCHOOLS DEFENCE LEAGUE

MEETING OF EXEOUTIVE. A full meeting of the executive of t-lio Mow Zealand National Schools Defenco Loaguo was held last night. Professor Hunter occupicd tho chair. Tho secretary road tho committee's report, as follows:—Tho committeo is glad to bo ablo to 1 inform tho General Kxecutivo that tho Bev. T. A. Williams. of Christchurch, has ncceptod tho position of organiser for tho Defence League, and will enter on his duties next month. The Ilcv. Mr. Williams needs no introduction to thoso who

wish to keep our national schools free from sectarian iniluenco and bittemess l and it is confidently expected tlmt as soon as tho tov. gentleman begins his work, friends of tho peoplo's causo in tho different centres will rally to his aid in his endeavour to lay faithfully before tho people tho objective of the Bible-in-Schools League, and the real issues involved, and will contribute liberally to tho cost of tho campaign. Our opponents have behind them somo wealthy church organisations that are free from taxation; wo can but rely for support on.tho righteousness, of our causo. and wo confidently oxpcct it. Tho National Schools Defence League exists to opposo:—(1) The submission of a religious issuo to a referendum; (2)

tho right of entry for the clergy into our schools, with the sectarian issues and conflicts that must result; (3) tho attempt to forco teachers to give general religious teaching, irrespective of their roligious convictions; (4) the proposal that tho State should, out of the taxes of all, pay to promulgate tho reli gious opinions of some. Tho league, again, affirms that it will offer no objection to a purely voluntary system that docs not involve tho State in the impossible task of taking sides in matters of religious belief. This attitude is not anti-Bible, not non-Christian, not anti-national, and not anti-British. If such attributes describe our present primary system of education, they must aiso describe other Departments of State effort, e.g., Old Ago Pensions and Hospital and Charitable Aid work. Are these non-Christian and anti-British? The Defence League cards are being freely signed. When our organiser gets into tho field, there is little doubt that we shall soon top the scoro- of the other side. Our canvassers get many signatures of those who have already «i«uod for tho Bibje in schools under a compieto misapprehension. Others would sign our card, but feel that, though misled, they hpve pledged themselves to the other side. We regrot that our proposal to Canon Garland, that both leagues should publicly annouueo that signatures shoulil not bo held binding on those who, for any reason, had changed their minds, was treated so discourteously. (Tho correspondence has been published.) The cause of tho Dcfencc of our na-

tional schools is 'flourishing; there are signs that the independent thinkers among tho Nonconformist churches of tho "combine" aro refusing to bo led into a denial of dissenting opinion by tho church party. In -tho Dunedin Presbytery the Rev.' Mr. Chisholm moved a strong motion against the Bible in schools unfair proposal ; tho motion was promptly closured, but "truth crushed to earth shall rise again." Tbo "Tablet," too, has published a very strong condemnation of the "right of entry," from tho pun of tho Rev. Dr. Gibb. 'It was written some timo, ago; the rev. gentleman has app'tfreirtly a Kha l iiged, his mind, but his objections to the system that he now supports aro as strong as ever. In seconding a motion expressing sympathy; with the- F'reo Churches of England in connection' with the passing of tho Balfour Education -Bill, Dr. Gibb said [Seo "Otago Daily Times," February 11, 1903]: "He (Dr. Gibb) had pleasure in seconding tho motion. He was the more eager to do so because his

.name was prominently associated with tho movement for tho restoration of tho Biblo to tho schools of tho colony. For that he would fight strenuously, and to tho very end—hut he would not fight nioro earnestly for that than lie would against any proposal to introduce the priest into the schools of New Zealand.

if ever tho .timo camo when an attempt should bo made to use the schools of this colony, as tha English Education Act would use tho schools at Home— for tho purpose of proselytism, for tho propagation of the tenets of any sect— lio would bo found standing in tho van of those who would resist that to tho uttermost. He had the very deepest sympathy with the Nonconformists of England in tho stand they were taking against a measure that would strike a deadly blow at the liberty in religion, which thoir fathers won at so great a price. That measure was designed to foist Catholicism on tho people of England. It was designed by its promoters to enable tho Anglican body to indoctrinate the youth of England -with tenets that they (tho Nonconformists) held in detestation—tenets that they believed wero contrary to the plainest teachings of the Word of God. The Nonconformists did well to give battle to this insidious thing. Ho trusted that their efforts would be completely successful. Biblo in schools was ono thing; priest in schools was another, and a vflry different thing. They were equally united in their determination to obtain the one, and to resist tho other with all their power."- Comment is unnecessary! Tho one thing that the agents of the Bible-in-Schools Party seem to buoy themselves tip with is the alleged success in Australia of tho Now South Wales system of Bible in schools. A pamphlet of 3G pages has been circulated broadcast in the Dominion. It con-

tains 08 "opinions" of State school tcachers, etc. (in Now South Wales, Queensland, AVest Australia, and Tasmania)—9S out of a possible 10,163— not one per cent. Out of theso 98, only 22 refer to any moral improvement resulting from the svstetn, and of theso 22 eight say: "I think" or "I am, of opinion," etc., somo moral benefit has accrued from tho system! Such is tho "overwhelming testimony" that we hear so much about as to the efficacy of tho New South Wales system! Tho vcrv fact that the so-called _ "testimonials" wero obtained from civil servants, who aro not allowed to criticiso tho conditions under which they work, should enablo us to appraiso such "testimonials" at their real value. Tho proposal of'tlie Isible-in-Scliools League is unjust, and no referendum can make it just. Tho very proposal to settle a question involving religious issues by referendum is *tho final mockery of justice. Tho Biible-in-Schools League naively asks Parliament (whoso primary consideration should he t-lie safc-guard-ing of tho rights of minorities) to ignore tho question of the justice or injustico of tho league's proposals, and to allow tho "cnmhino" of religious denominations (claiming to ho in a majority) to vote itself the privileges it desires. Tho combine wishes to discharge tho_ double function of judge ami jury. \\o nan soarcoly concoivG it possible tlitit tlio Government of this Dominion is going to divest itself of a sense of responsibility and to shirk its duty to tho extent of conceding tho demand of tho sectarian combine to determine such an isstio by referendum. As for tho boast that 7-i per cent, of tlie people of tho Dominion aro supporters of the Bible-in-Schools League, this seems to us a gr.r/o reflection on tho energy and sincerity of tho clergr, who, according to their own showing, luive obviously failed to fulfil their heaven-appointed obligations in the 74 per cent, who constitute their flock. Tho report was unanimously adopted, and arrangements made for a vigorous campaign.