The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1926.

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. With the private bill promoted by Hon L. M. Tsitt. entitled the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, the subject. <>[ the hihle-iii-scllools is again being contested vigorously. Perhaps people will be inclined to think that it is il compromise un the actual reading of the bible in schools. . According to Mr Isitt there is “nothing iii the religious exerciscs provided for in the bill in opposition to doctrinal tenets. The bill merely suggested the reading of extracts common to the Douay and the Protestant Bible.” This is so far good, but it suggests the introduction of a system which would undermine the secular principle, one of the lundnmental points of educational instruction in New Zealand. The mere reading of the compiled manual will be of little value to many of the junior selio-

la is unless there is instruction to exy plain the lessons, just as the ordinary rending lessons have to he explained. ' It would he at that point where trouble would begin. We take it that the edu- " cation system was declared secular by its founders so that, the State would not 1 exercise authority in religions matters, and bring some of the feuds of the Old Land to a young country where it "'as desired' and desirable to exclude

’ (leitomin.ttioiuilisni. There .are many Secondary schools in New Zealand j where hible reading Is practiced and there is trouble move of less serious at timet; over the religious teaching. There is a great difference of opinion in regard to the introduction of religious teaching in State Schools. The , Roman Catholics are opposed to it, because the State being protestant it has been inferred the instruction would he 1 that way, and the Roman Catholics in-

. cur the cost and expense of their own teaching, which is of course greatly to ■ their credit. At the same time other denominations have the opportunity of teaching- members of their flock at the Stale schools outside of the ordinary hours of instruction, hut this privilege is not largely availed of, adherence being given more to Sunday School and Bible class instruction-. Many prominent Protestants, both clergy any laymen, are opposed to the bible-in-schools, with instruction by the State School staff. Another weakness is the

(injection or the teachers themselves, who through the Teachers’ Institute have given an adverse vote on the hill. The measure now before Parliament is a private bill. 'Were it a Government measure the issue would he on different grounds. But we take it the Government supports the Kducatiou System as it has come down to them free, secular, national education. Many momlioiv inolnrlinrr ti n rlmiKt com of

the Ministers have given their pledges to that end. The Upper House is not elective, and its members have not been called on to give pledges, though we observe some members who as candidates for seats in the Lower House were not in favour of tampering with the education system, are now voting to do so. hooking to the history of the world it appears to be a sound and safe thing to maintain religious freedom, and so keep out sectional strife. The soundest religious t pnM,i

come from the Church parents espouse, and the home training in that re- I sport would he in sympathy. The in- ' stniction at school might easily he in another vein and confusion would grow more confounded with the rising generation. It is easy to conceive with the mixed temper of the neopie that 7111 eh feeling be aroused by pressing the aill too far. In summing up his obligations to the hill, the Hon ,T. A. 3anan, one of our most successful Minsters of Education, contended that in egard to religion the State must he leittral. If the measure were carried hey would hare claims in for grants or denominational schools. No leader if any of the three parties in the other louse would bring such a Bill in, and f the present Minister of Education

was supporting the Bill, then it was his duty to promote such a measure himself. Under the present State system of education there existed equality of opportunity, and there was no reason why parents should not give their children religious instruction in tho homes. It would he criminal on their part to do anything to destroy tho existing system of education.