BIBLE-LEADING IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1926, Page 4

BIBLE-LEADING IN SCHOOLS

ITS CHANCES THIS SESSION. WELLINGTON, July 17. Strong protests were uttered in the Legislative Council to-day when tlie firm. Air Isilt proposed that his Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, providing for the reading of extracts from Scriptures in Slate schools, should he expedited, so that it might he sure of reaching the other Chamber before the session was too far advanced. After the Bill hail been introduced and read a first time Air Isitt asked that it be set down for the second reading on tho folowing day. • He pointed out that the session was likely to close very early in September, and that unless tho Bill was dclilt with speedily there would he no possibility of getting it considered in the House.

Some neiv members protested (lint) they had not had sufficient time to acquaint themselves with the measure. The Hon. Air Malcolm thought the Bill should he allowed to stand over for a, while, so as ‘to enable ,a number of people to give evidence on it. Voices: Hear, hear.

Air Afnlcolm suggested that it he read u second time oil Wednesday of next week.

So far as the plea for evidence was concerned, said Mr lsitt, the petition presented to the Council .that afternoon was on behalf of the same gentlemen who had presented the petition last year. All evidence heard on that occasion could ho taken into consideration. before the Bill reached the House of Representatives, zlt must be manifest that delay was one way of blocking the Bill. Other Councillors thought that it was (inly right to follow custom, and to allow time- for evidence to be taken, while some thought the subject of the Bill was well enough known already. The Hon. Air Cohen described the Bill as one of the most contentious measures ever brought before Parliament, and he said he intended when the time cnnie to move that it be referred to a oommitte to be dealt with on its merits.

Mr lsitt- assured the Council that he had not the slightest desire to balk full knowledge and discussion on the. measure, and he was willing to consent to a week’s postponement, so long as after the second reading it was allowed to proceed without further delay. “All I want,” lie said, “is a fair run for the Bill. I don’t want the opponents of the measure to take an unfair advantage of the position.”

The Bill was set down for second reading oil Wednesday.

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