BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2339, 22 December 1914, Page 9

BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS LEAGUE

9 At a largely attended meeting at which delegates were present from the principal centres of the Dominion, it was unanimously resolved that the Exeoutive of the League expresses .thankfulness at the progress made and which has resulted in 36 members being returned to Parliament ready to support the referendum asked for by the churches constituting" the League. The Executive draws attention to the fact that all along it has urged that the subject of religious instruction in State schools should be kept out of the political arena. Had the referendum been taken at the recent General Election it would have i been set tied independently of the political questions which were before the country.

Those members of the late Parliament who accepted the. doctrine that'the referendum principle was not applicable to this question, because, according to its opponents, it dealt with a religious subject, must therefore' carry the full responsibility for any political situation arising therefrom.' .

The League takes this opportunity to reiterate its that adequate provision for the religious and moral training of the young is the only sound foundation for the continued good government or prosperity of any country. The League believes that the surest way of making the national system of education permanent is by affording to all parents an equal opportunity ' for their children to have Bible-reading and religious instruction as an integral part of their 'education.' The League, believing that the children's welfare is of paramount importance, will continue its 'work, until the people, as the sovereign tribunal, are allowed an opportunity by their direct vote of accepting or rejecting the proposals made by the churches in the League.

The Executive hereby reaffirms its continued confidence' in Canon Garland, whose leadership it trusts will continue until our end is achieved; and desires to oxpress its appreciation of the great services he has rendered to the movement,_ especially by the ability and courage "with which he has dealt with tho many difficulties and determined opposition with which we have had to contend. The Executive places on record 'the fact that in the 37 years since its inception the movement never before has acquired so large a measure of success or attained to such a prominence as it at present holds.