Bible-in-Schools Question.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 4, 20 May 1927, Page 1

Bible-in-Schools Question.

When our preheat system of primary education w*as inaugurated by Parliament some fifty years ago, it was made free—secular —an(i compulsory, and, despite vigorous and repeated attempts to change the second of these characteristics, viz., that of "secular," the system has remained as originally set out. During these fifty years no attempt has been made to alter or eliminate the terms "free and compulsory," and this is conclusive evidence that as a people we recognize that it is the bounden duty of the State to provide education up to a point for all our children, and also to compel parents or guardians of our young people to see that full advantage is taken of such free education. - But it is round the "secular" side of this education system that controversy has raged, and several attempts have been made, both in and out of Parliament, to introduce into our schools some of religious instruction—the last occasion being that on which Mr. L. M. Isitt brought forward his "Religious Instruction in S.chools Bill," which measure was defeated by a small majority. in the Legislative Council. Man is a complex animal, and develops along physical, mental, and iftoraT lines, "o*^ should do <*o, v If* he i#. to reach the state when he becomes "a sound mind in a sound body" and is then nearest to being "an ideal citizen." Our present system of education (which compares very favourably with those of older countries) is, we know, doing much for the mental and physical development of the children of the Dominion. A good grounding is given ,in at i least the "three R's", and in addition carefully . compiled courses are. carried out in such subjects as History and; Civics, Geography, various Sciences,., etc., and in Physical Drill, Organised Games, etc., a splendid effort, withigood results, is daily made to build up the physical side of the child nature. Nt>w, what about the' "moral" side of such an. education system. First of all, we must not confuse the term. "moral" with that of "religious." Practically all the text books, and particularly the "reading" books used in our schools are full of the highest moral sentiments: Lessons and stories whose aim and effect are to impress on the young and plastic mind such virtues as honesty, temperance, cleanliness, etc., are found in these books,

and, in addition, much of the history teaching is biographical and the best ? in thj&liyes of great workers political, naval, philantroTphic, scien;tific is laid bare as an example for our boys and girls. Notwithstanding all this, a large number of people—serious minded men and women—desire the introduction of Scriptural instruction into our schools, and in a few weeks this question will again be debated in Parliament. By permission of the Minister of Education, agents of those fighting for this instruction will enter our schools and compile from the school records a list of names and addresses of parents. To all "such a ballot paper will be issued asking for a vote, Yes or No, to such instruction being given a definite place in the school course. The instruction shall consist of (1) singing or recitation of a hymn; (2) recitation of the Lord's Prayer; and (3) the reading of a selected passage from Scripture. These passages are to be selected by representatives of the various churches. There is, of course, a conscience clause so that parents who do not desire such religious instruction for their children, and teachers who do not wish to give it, may claim exemption. There are very many, including Roman Catholics and Jews, who will claim this exemption, and in addition there are very many who hold that our schools the islaeorixfor such instruction who wis also claim this exemption, so that there would certainly be quite a large number of children who would have to be otherwise employed while such instructions were being given. There has been absolute harmony among our people under the secular system—do we risk a loss of this harmony if the suggested change takes place? We cannot too strongly urge upon those who wift be, in the very near future, called upon to express their desires to give this matter the fullest consideration in order that ho ill-considered change may be made or that such change, if it; be desirable, be not hindered. Each must answer according to the dictates of his own conscience, and we feel sure that in "Lower Hutt" at any rate, the whole matter will be carefully weighed and only a considered vote recorded.