BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1930, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

A PREMATURE STATEMENT

WELLINGTON*. June 24. In a statement to-day concerning the Roman Catholic attitude on religious training in schools, the Rev. E .0. Blamiies (Methodist), secretary of the Bible-in-Schols League, said: “The report is correct in general, but incorrect in detail. No authoritative public announcement:has yet been made as the negotiations are not complete. It : is, anticipated that they may be complete . shortly. There is to be ;no conference next week. The statement that'Protestants will be made Responsible for religious instruction is .not as correct as that non-participants will not’ be expected to pay for wliut they do not approve. ’ From inquiries imade pf .Roman Catholio sauthorities learned, that correspondence : between the Bible-in-Schools League and the Catholic Church had taken place, but it was stated that at present matters wfere still undetermined \as a conference was to Ibe.hehl. In March ''last w conference of re6"‘tlie Chui-eh-.es was held in Wellington to consider tlie position iniU'egard to the ' possibility of makiug sliclv changes. $n regard' to scriptural reading or lessons in schools as would remove tlie objection of the Roman Catholic Church, possibly by means of the reading' .being given out of the ordinary school hours. It was stated today that any decision .arrived at jby the conference would, of. course, require %lie- confirmation.of the bvterwun Gfandra,! Assembly. Similar sanction would no doubt, be required V by the governing bodies ,'of^.the. other icinirches. J 'PresbvterianyOpinion exr pressed to,dav was HBolUnfi s .statement appeared to'VW'; premature and might possibly pyejudice ilia ' posit ion.' ; . • ■ ! fT\ \ Very’s few members of \ Parliament have {'fir rived in Wellington so far, but tirt opinions •of those .who aie here- indicate, that a Bill this session would -be far from popular. It is considered -that there Tire .: sufficient weighty problems facing Parliament i,t present without introducing what would: almost certainly be a very conones!ion. Even if a compromise were arrived at, it is the opini'M of members that a compromise Rill would lead to a prolonged and acrimonious debate and that the time -'that would be taken up can ill be spared. '