BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1927, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

AIR CAUGHLEY’S OPPOSITION.

WELLINGTON. Aug. 12.

Air John Caugliley. late Director of Education, has petitioned the House of Representatives, asking that the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill be not passed. Mr Caugliley states the bill would provide for a form of religious training acceptable only to certain Protestant .denominations. The whole character of the proposed exercises, lie says, is distinctly denominational as between Protestant and Jew. Again, it. could scarcely be denied that hymns such as prescribed inevitably contained. more or less explicitly, doctrines, dogmas and views of religion or of spiritual life that were distinctly denominational. i. 0.. Protestant.

On the basis the the proposed exercises would occupy one-hundred ili part of the school time, the petitioner estimates that the State would be providing £35.099 a year (one hundredth part of £3.503.009. the annual cost bt conducting the primary scrolls) for a form of religious training neceptablj only to certain Protestant drncmin::t ions.

Before Parliament eon.-hlers passing tho Bill. Afr Caugliley submits, it is surely imperative that a just, answer should bo prewired for the claim that must be faced for some eqiova.crt State aid to Catholic education and the promoters of the hill should ha prepared to show that the Government could pass the measure and he vent v to give such a claim an answer. Tho petitioner also refers to the position of the teachers, maw ol worn would lie unable, on account of their religion, to take part. Exempli u would lie a mockery if the exercise d it carried with it any disability vie *- ever to any teacher who, c:t gronm-.s of conscience, had to avail himsell of it. Tho existence ol a. non-legalb. I similar practice i:t secondary sclio ;ls had resulted in the exclusion of ; II Catholics from the priucipalship ol the schools. With regard to other schools it must ho clear, ho says, that teachers who claimed the exemption would Ruffe:• their profession. Finally, Air Caugliley says the ’proposed method of reading the Hil >i■' would place that Book on a townlevel in the schools than the simplest nursery rhyme.