RELIGION IN SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2971, 8 January 1917, Page 6

RELIGION IN SCHOOL

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE DECISION. An expression cf opinion on tho subject of religious teaching in schools was given by tho conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute on Saturday. Mr. H. P. Andrew submitted the following remit from Auckland: "That the Minister of Education bo congratulated on his firm stand in refusing the request for subsidised denominational Bchools." He exprcesod tho opinion that education was invariably most backward in countries where the Church interfered with religion. The chairman: Are you talking to tho motion? Tho motion is one of congratulation to tho Minister. Mr. Aiulrew said that" he thought roferenec to tho dangers of Teligious ivlerforencH with education was very much in point. He spoke of Bonie of those countries in which the Church does control education, instancing first the Province of Quebeo in Canada. In this province education was very much more backward than in any other part of Canada. Other countries to which he referred ■ wero Austria land Germany, •pointing out some of the .intolerable tyranny suffered by teachers in Germany 'because of Church control. He moved tbo motion, ho said, with a great deal of pleasure, and ho hoped that tho Minister would long remain in his preceffk position to defend our secular system of education. "Mr. H. A. Parkinson snid he seconded the motion with a great deal of satisfaction tempered by a sense of responsibility, because there was no doubt that this question could not be discussed in public without a sense of responsibility. He believed that our system of education was now and was likelv in the near future to be heavily attacked, and that it was in danger of losintr its freedom from setcanan strife and bitterness. Not only had they to fear tho recent demand 'for State assistance for denominational schools, but they were fold that another organisation which . had patriotically susnendod if.-' operations riurinsr the period of the war, would ;rer,ew its operations probably with a. <;ond deal of artillery borrowed from Iho fields of war. ' It; would be a very- strnn? assault that would I>e delivered ncainst nnr system before manv years were over. Tt Biigh bo desirable for friends of our sv*f:em to <>i=tnWish an Education League or «>me such bndy. not only for the ndvaneem»nt of education, bnt for thr- defence of what had been already attained. He thought the institute should speak unmistakably to the conntry. There was no doubt that, the Minister would Tieed jilt the stonort thatff.he friends of education could give him. _ There was no further discussion. Tflo mnt'or r»s swfe'ii to unanimously, hind; S Rita Galindo, 06yds. behind; 18