BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 September 1910, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES

SYSTEM URGED

Archdeacon Garland, the organising secretary of the Queensland Bible-in-SehoolsPaiity, has sent tho following letter explaining the Now South Wales system of Bible reading in State schools, at the request of the \\ ellington Householders' League:—

Sir,—The systejn of Bible reading in the State schools, which was submitted to the people of Queensland by .referendum in April last which was answered in the affirmative, has been law in New South Wales since 18(!(i, in Tasmania since 1868, and Western Australia since 1893, and. was introduced into Norfolk Islamite as the first Act of the New South Wales Government on taking possession of that island' in the year 1906. ( lie system provides for:— (1) "Selected Bible lessons being given by the State school teachers without sectarian teaching" ; andi (2) "Ministers of religion or their accredited substitutes visiting tho schools during school hours" ; (3) A conscience clause, provides that no child shall receive religious teaching either from the State school teacher or from the ministers of religion against the parents' wish." This latter clause is of vital importance, because it gives the pa-rent liberty as to whether the child is to receive religious teaching or not. 'It is proved by the official opinions of tho heads of departments where this system exists, that no sectarian difficulties arise in connection with 'the working of the religious instruction clauses. As a matter of fact nothing has done more to break'down misundot standing between all the churches save one, than has Mis system. While Roman Catholics still prefer separate schools of their own, yet they do not withdraw their children in New South Wales, from the Scripture lessons; while an average of one thousand visits per annum are paid' by Roman Catholic clergymen or their substitutes to tho New Smith WaJes State schools to instruct their own children. In New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia children learn such passages of Scripture as tho 23rd! Psalm, the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on tho Mount, as pairt of their daily education.

The answer to all objections raised is to be found in tho fact that the .system has existed so long in tJhe States named. The very fact df its existence in two of those States for nearly half a century is the plainest proof that it has proved satisfactory to the people, or they would 'have very promptly got rid of it by /Parliament. The fact ttot it was introduced in AVesteroi Australia in 1893 shows that it was capable of being grafted into an existing system withoift in any iway affecting it unfavourably or creating, trouble. Important— This New South Wales system of Bible reading in schools harmonises with the Nelson system, but the New South' Wales System is far superior, and' should foe made'the legal one. Efforts are being made to get .Archdeacon Garland to visit Now' Zealand to condiuct a Bible in State schools campaign,