BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1931, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

A DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON - . May 13. An appeal to teachers lor sympathetic treatment for the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill, was made to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Insitute, by the executive of the Bible jn Schools League. The deputation comprised the Bishop of Wellington, Dr. Sprott, Sir James Allen. Colonel .John Studholme, Hon. L. Isitt M.L.C., Rev, E. 0. Blamires (Secretary of the League), Miss Mary McLean (ex-principal of Wellington Girls College). Bishop SprotJ said lie was acting in place of the President of the ..eague, Archbishop Averill. The League had put forward a new Bill which it was proposed to bring before Parliament. The executive was anxious to receive the opinions of teachers on the proposal embodied in the Bill. Sir. James Allen said the deputation was there as the representatives of a majority of the Churches, who had combined on the question of the necessity for Bible teaching in schools. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy had assured the League that it wanted to see the teaching of religion in other than Catholic schools in the Dominion. The Bill had been dratted to put upon the statute bonk a system for the teaching of the bible in schools, different from anything which had been tried in the past. The idea was to brine; llie Dominion into lino with the educational system in the old land. Some of the young people of the Dominion. many people must admit, were growing up without that stamina and conscience which would fit them for the battle of life. After hearing other members of the

deputation, the President of tlie Institute. Mr H. F. Penlington said members of the Institute could meet on common ground with the League. Both had the welfare of the child at heart. The deputation had brought new light to bear upon tile subject.