BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1927, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

ATTITUDE OF LEAGUE. DUNEDIN, Dee. 27. A( a Christmas Night service held at Knox Church, the llev. E. 0. Illauiirc.s, Dominion organising secretary uf the Bible in Schools League, stated

that tt glance over the past year’s activities, showed that, despite inability to secure an alteration in the Education Act in Parliament., very valuable progress had been made, lie claimed that it had been demonstrated that a system of education that allowed no reference to Biblical matter was unpopular. Xo adequate explanation, of Christmas could be given in primary schools, although to those in New Zealand the life of Jesus was the central fact of history. There was nothing more unpopular in New Zealand to-day than the entire socularity of the primary school system. Homan Catholics ai:d Protestants alike denounced it. During the year a wide-spread effort had been made to discover the attitude of parents. In all the principal centres. parents were requested to vote for or against Bible in schools. Between : 12.000 and 33,000 votes had been recorded, each vote representing one family. Otago had been most thoroughly worked, every school in the area having been listed, and 80 per cent, of the votes were favourable. 7n Canterbury. a large area, more than double the number of votes were recorded. The Auckland area returned about the same a.s Canterbury, and in Canterbury. Auckland and Wellington over 80 per cent, of the votes were favourable. Even in the least favourable province, Taranaki. 72 per cent, were favourable, so that it could he stated without shadow of doubt that the parents were desirous of seeing the Bible in schools. Through-out the Dominion to date. 2d.478 family votes had been received In favour and only oOO.j against. So milch was .said these days about the rights of minorities that it had become necessary to contend that majorities also bad rights. Tt was passing strange that the valuable material found in the Bible (i')uld not be used in any way in primary schools. The league was more determined than ever to carry on. in the assurance that their policy was educationally sound.