STATE AND RELIGIOUS TEACH ING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2024, 8 March 1907, Page 4

STATE AND RELIGIOUS TEACH ING.

The Hon. Geo. Gowlds, Minister for Education, at the sitting of the Methodist Conference, made the following statement: —“I may say that I have no commission to speak on behalf of my colleagues in the Government, but I believe I am justified in saying that the attitude of the Government towards you and towards all religious bodies in the colony is that of sympathetic interest and goodwill. (Applause). As probably most of you know I hold rather strong views on the question of the State’s duty in the teaching of religion. I know that on this question I differ from a great many of you, .and I am not referring to it now in any controversial spirit, but as you know I believe that the less the State has to do with the teaching of religion the better it is for religion and the better it is for the State. (Hear, hear.) At the same time that does not imply that I. think that the State or statesmen should have an antagonistic or even an indifferent attitude towards religious movements and religious organisations; on the contrary. I believe that the true statesman is the one who realises and appreciates the value of religions work, and looks upon religions workers aa co-workers in the same great field, and that the harvest of their joint labors should be the material, mental, moral, and spiritual uplifting of mankind. I believe that the State in New Zealand is probably as alive to its duties and its responsibilities in connection with the whole life of man as any Government that is to be found on the face of the earth today .and I believe that the more those who are specially charged with the conduct of the affairs o f the State are in touch with the elevating influences of religious work, the better it will be for the State and for all concerned.”