BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1930, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION

RECENT CONFERENCE.

LEAGUE AND CATHOLIC CHURCH

MASTERTON, July 28.

The Rev. E, Blamires, New Zealand secretary of the., jßi.ble, gue, in an address at the Methodist Church" last Wight, paicj, a tribute to Archbishop O’Shea, with' whom principally the negotiations of the League representatives"had been carried on. His frank straightforwardness and unfailing'courtesy had won from them unstinted praise and the conciliatoiy spirit shown had made possible the happy conclusions arrived at. The question of State aid had been thoroughly weighed by both parties in the agreement, hut did not cntei into the'decisions. The League’s representatives, knew perfectly well that the Roman Catholics would not change their convictions. They held that for the secular instruction given in thenschools they had a claim on the Government, but with a frankness equal to that of the hierarchy concerned, stated that they could not allow this claim to be a factor in the agreement in any way. No change of conviction in this respect, was expected pn either side; Apart from the question of State aid, therefore, the proposal had been made and accepted, and the final outcome was entirely satisfactory.