BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1928, Page 4

BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS

SESSION’S MANOEUVRES. WELLINGGTON. July 13. The date for the second reading of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, in charge of the. member for Christchurch North, is August 1. The measure got to the committee stage last session, and was dropped as a result of an amendment, inserted by supporters of the Nelson system as an alternative to that proposed in the Bill. Circumstances arc shaping themselves for a repetition of previous eommitteo devlopments, -as Mr R. P. Hudson, chairman of tho committee which took evidence on tho Bill, has given notice that when it reaches tho conimittoe stage ho will move to insert an amendment that the provisions of the Act shall not apply to any school unless the controlling authority of that school has by resolution determined that it is not practieabo or convenient to adopt the system commonly kiuvn as the Nelson system, and that unless such a resolution is in force the controlling authority shall arrange for the conduct of religious exercises in the school in accordance with the Nelson system. Mr Atmoro, member for Nelson, tabled a question to the Minister of Education to-day suggesting that he should include in an amendment of tbe Education Act, which is expected (his session, a clause on the linos of -the recommendations of tlfe special committee which considered the Religious Exerciess in Schools Bill last year. This provides that if accredited persons, approved by the Minister, desire to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary nature v in school buildings the ordinary opening hour of the school shall ho postponed or tile ordinary closing hour in the afternoon shall he advanced on on" day in the week, as agreed upon, for not, loss than half an hour, to enable this instruction to bo conveniently given. This >s subject to the qualification that the arrangement must not. reduce the minimum time devoted to secular instruction below fomhours nor day.