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Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1928, Page 2

Parliament is moving with some celerity. Some of the more controversial questions are being disjiosed of ill a business-like way—without loss of time in fruitless debate where the result in any c«6e is a foregone conclusion. Last week •to the regret of many the Summer Time Bill went by the board, and this week doubtless also to the regret of many, the Bible-in-Schools question was settled for the session. The bill was lost in the Lower House, This may spur the organisations supporting bible reading in schools, to active work in tho coming general elections anil in that way another disturbing side issue on a subject that should be outside general politics will be brought to the fore ti> liarrass candidates and disturb the minds of many to the neglect of other more important matters bearing on sound government and safe administration. It is well, to our view, that the House decided against the bill, for were it carried eventually into law, it would be a more disturbing subject than it promises to lie under existing circumstances. The s b ject is one so bound up with religious issues that the conscience of such a. multitude would be brought into conflict with the law, and there would be a serious attack on oivr education system Of which really the country is so boastful, even if it is costing' millions. In any case the present House had not any mandate to adopt bible reading in schools where the education system of to-day is founded on non-sectarian principles. The effect of a law ordering bible reading in schools along compulsory lines would be in effect creating a. form of State religion. That would be manifestly courting serious trouble, and would raise questions of degrees which would cause differences even in protestant ranks. The Roman Catholics who already do so much for those of their own creed in providing religious teaching in their sectarian schools, oerltainly would We opposed to- the law, and the whole fabric of the educational system would bo threatened v itli serious inroads of denominational schools. Free, compulsory and secular education is the accepted foundation of this democracy, and serious consequences would be involved in any departure fron. th.it foundation. On that account it bs well that matters are left as they are, for behind it ail is the privilege for all denominational instruction through the churches and Sunday schools and in the homes of parents.