RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 5

RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

MEASURE OUTLINED BEFORE PRESBYTERY.

DUNEDIN Nov. 4. A new Bill providing for the teaching of religion in the State schools has been ‘prepared by • the Bible in Schools League. It is to ibe known as the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill. An outline of the new measure was given before the Dunedin Presbytery this afternoon by the Rev. Dr .Herrington, convenor of the Youth Committee.

The new Bill, which was the outcome of a conference of church representatives and members of the Bible in Schools League, said Dr Herrington, provided for definite religious instruction on non-sectarian lines, as well as for religious exercises at the opening of the school day. Jt also provided for a. thoroughly voluntary system of teaching. No teadher would be asked to teach religious subjects unless he was heartily in accord with t'hcj objects of religions I'.netruction. The Bill further allowed for others who were not teachers to give instruction—people approved by the church] Permissive action was given under which it would he left with the Education Boards to say whether -they were favourable or not to the introduction of the teaching, and the question of the Bible in the schools would thus he entirely ‘removed from the 00.1 l bioal arena, The question to he decided would he left with the particular district nnd the Education 1 Board in oharge in the district, A feature of the ’ Bill which gave them the greatest promise of success Dr Herrington proceeded, was that. •Roman Catholics were entirely exempted both from participation and from any payment for the additional cost of the Bible • lesfioriis. Not. only would Ihoman Catholic children be exempted, but teachers as well; The Roman Catholic Church, through its leaders, had expressed its willingness to support the introduction of the measure. It was fair ; better for the community as a whole in the assault (in agnosticism and. atheism that, thf y should see that their.: children. of whatever denomination, shoul l receive religious instruction ir. • the schools rather than that. they should grow up without it. The agreement on the part of the Roman Catholics not to oppose the- Bill certainly enhanced the prospects very considerably of its passing the legislature. .

The Rev. D. C. Herron said it seemed to him that the new Bill vas a tremendous step forward, and that the prospects of its being parsed had greatly improved. He was not, however, in favour of the permissive clause vesting authority by Parliament in the Education Boards, thus providing for an area option. He lipped that the permissive clause would be taken, out, and that they should have a Bill for the whole country, ' 1 ’ - -

The Presbytery did not express its mind on the matter, but'it wo*. decided that copies of the Bill, with explanatory notes' thereon, /should be issued with -the notices calling the next meeting,