BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1927, Page 4

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] IN THE COMMONS. LONDON. -March 11. In the Commons Captain Holt moved the second reading of a private bill aiming at “ Prevention of perversion of the minds of children under sixteen by seditious, blasphemous teaching and literature.” Captain Holt cited as an example of the blasphemy taught In proletarian schools the following passage: “Christ on the Cross dying for sinners is so ridiculous that one despairs of the hold this superstition has on the mind' of the working class.”

The latest manifestation of Communist propaganda directed and financed from .Moscow was the formation of a Teachers’ Labour League, which was (iistinefly communistic'. J. H. Hudson (Labour) moved the rejection of the bill and pointed out the existing laws were capable of dealing with blasphemy and sedition.

Rev. J. Barry (Labour) said lie was repelled as much as anyone by “ blasphemous ” but attempts to suppress them hy fines or imprisonment would only advertise them and create a sense of martyrdom. He protested against the attempts that were made to assassinate the Labour party with anti-religious tencTiing. Airs Philipson complained that Communist Sunday schools in addition to seeking to destroy religion taught sox immorality. She had been shown some secretary pamphlets showing this. “As n woman and a mother 1 shall he interested to see whether Sir Joyitson Mirks votes for the bill after reading them.”

Sir Joynson Hicks said the Government had not the slightest intention of prosecuting Socialists’ Sunday schools, which were perfectly legal propaganda but proletariat Sunday schools of which at present there were only a few, were used to teach the (grossest blasphemy. Communists now adopted different methods. They were forming in the schools groups of children imbued with extremist revolutionary doctrines. He believed the working class was as opposed to tiiis extremist corruption of their children as anybody. Tlie Aiinisler thought the bill, after amendment in committee, would effectively deal with what, fortunately, was not at present a very great evil. The Government left the Bill to a free vote. Personally ho would vote for it. The second reading was carried by 213 to So.