BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1931, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

A GENERAL AGREEMENT. '■ By teleyruph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 8. A deputation representing the Dominion Executive of the Bible-in-Schools League waited on the General Assemdy of the Presbyterian Church tin’s afternoon with reference to a new Biil that is to be introduced in Parliament. Rev. E. 0. Rlamires, on behalf .J' the League, said that a conference of representatives of churches had considered two. special matters. The first was the attitude of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy to the question of Biblc-in-schools. Negotiations were opened with the Roman Catholic Bishops, these resulting eventually in a complete agreement between the negotiating parties. Under the terms oT the agreement the Catholic Bishops promised to withdraw opposition to any measure proposed, provided that the consciences of the Roman Catholic teachers and Roman Catholic pupils and of all the others who are concened, were, adequately protected, and provided tlmt if the introduction of the Bibical instructions additional expenditure, the Roman Catholics should not he responsible for bearing any portion of the additional expenditure that is so incurred. They would not participate ,and they should not be expected to pay. These conditions, said Mr Blamires, had been proved, and they were embodied in the enabling Bill. The second matter dealt with by conference, lie said, was that of a new Enabling Bill. Tt did not bury the Religious Exercises Bill, but it incorporated it in a new Bill, which represented the advance in.line with eduentionvl criticism, and was believed to be more in harmony with accepted educational principles. The Moderator thanked the deputation. and promised full and sympathetic consideration of the matter by the Assembly.