THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2143, 19 March 1908, Page 2

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

DISCUSSED BY THE lIAWKE’S BAY EDUCATION BOARD.

The following memorandum from Inspector Hill was read at the meeting of the Hawke’s Buy Education Board on Tuesday: “Some difficulty having 'arisen in connection with tlio interpretation of Regulation 15 of the board’s regulations, it would bo of much lie-jg /to tlio inspectors to have tlio actual intentions of tho board in .respect of tho following:—‘The teaching in tho schools shall bo for five hours daily X n ' five days in every week, except that in the preparatory classes it shall bo for four hours only.’ (1) Does the teaching cover secular instruction only and in tho subjects enumerated in sections 135 and 170 of tlio Education Compilation -Act? (2) Would the regulation be met Iby taking out of the five hours in one day a week hallf an hour for religious‘instruction, say, from 9 to 9.30 a.m.? (3) As the preparatory classes are limited to a school day of four hours, is it competent for a soliool committee to extend the school day for these classes for religious instruction, and would the teachers be justified in tolling thoir pupils to attend school for such instruction ?”

Mr. T. Tanner said the question raised was a very large ono, and ho did not think it would fie wise to deal with it at present. It would not be settled by the judgment of Air. Justice Cooper at Wanganui. Mr. G. Darton said tho inspectors had asked certain questions which ought to be answered. He thought it was perfectly clear that by Regulation 15 tho board had _ fixed the hours of Toguiar instruction ut five hours per day for five days in the week, with an hour less for the preparatory classes. The Act said that the hours should he not less than (four, hut, to suit the requirements of syllabus, the board bad' fixed them at five. He moved that the answer to the first question ho “Yes.” Pastor Hies asked what power the board bad to fix tlio hours. Mr. W. ‘Morgan said the hoard’s duty was to cfyry out the Act, and to do so it had the power to make regulations. The minimum was fixed at four flours, but the board had the power to increase tho period to meet the requirements of the syllabus. He seconded Mr. Dalton’s motion. Mr. Tanner moved as .an -amendment, seconded by Pastor Ries, that no action be taken at -present. The amendment was lost and the motion carried.

Mr. Morgan moved that the answer to the "next question 'be that the regulation would not ho met by taking out of the five hours on one day half an hour for religious instruction. Mr. Tanner moved as an amendment that no answer be given, the question being indefinite. Mr. Darton said fie would vote against both motion and amendment, as lie was not satisfied with either. The amendment was lost by 5 votes to 3, the voting being as follows: For: Messrs. Tanner and Ries and the Rev. A. Grant. The motion was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman. It was -agreed to divide the third question into two parts and deal with them separately, the first being:—“As the preparatory classes are limited to four hours a day, is it competent for a School Committee to extend the school day for classes for religious instruction?” *

Air. McLernon moved that the answer should he “No.”

Mr. Tanner said it was competent for the committee to allow -religious instruction outside the four hours. Air. Darton said all would agree

with -that, hut it was not the question asked. The question was, could the committee extend the -school day, and ho certainly agreed with the motion.

On being put the motion was carried by 5 votes -to 3. Air. Darton moved that the -answer be also “No” to the second part of the question, namely, “AVould the teachers be justified in telling their* pupils to attend school -for such instruction ?”_ Pastor Ries said he knew of a number of schools in tills Dannevirke district where committees, parents, -teachers, and children were unanimously in favor of religious instruction, and ministers of all denominations, including Roman Catholic priests, worked harmoniously together in the work. It was -a pity that the board should try (to expel tho Bible, than which no better book could be -found, from the schools; a shame that they should try to- disturb -the peacefu- arrangements now- existing in the schools to which ho had referred, for that was what, the action of some members -really meant. The residents of his district- did -not wish 'to interfere with anyone, and should be 'allowed to continue in their own unanimous -and peaceful way. _ AH. Morgan threw back the insinuation made by Pastor Ries. He was there to carry out the Act, -and he would endeavor to do so._ -He yielded to no man in -admiration -of the Bible, but if it was to -he introduced into schools let it he done in the proper manner, namely, by the law of the land. Air. Darton also took exception to Pastor Ries’ remarks and his (insinuation that members were trying to block religious instruction. Air. Tanner said that nothin-" the board could do could block it. It would be carried on -as in years -past, despite -anything the -board could do. Mr. Whittington said the whole question was as to tho board’s powers and duties under the Act, not one as to their views on the subject of religious instruction. After some further discussion. Pastor Ries suggested that the answer to the question be added to as follows: “No; but teachers may, with the consent- of the committee, -invite their pupils to attend.” The suggestion was adopted, and the motion as amended carried unanimously.

STATEMENT BY HON. GEO FOAVLDS.

Press Association. WELLINGTON) March 18. Referring to the action of the 11.8. Education Board re Bible in schools, the Minister of Education thinks that the Nelson system of Scripture lessons in the State schools must have led to a : misapprehension in Napier. In Nelson the Bible is in the school to some extent, but Bible -is overtime, and it is extraordinary. Tlio hours for the subjects prescribed by the statutes are .observed, and Scriptural teaching is done outside State time, and children are not obliged to attend the class. “That system,” -added the Minister, “lias been adopted in several places, and as far as I can see. it does not conflict with the Act so long as tlie definite hours are given to secular instruction, the requirements of tlio Act arc eomnlied with, and religious lessons are given by voluntary arrangement outside ordinary school hours