BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1932, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

| SECOND READING CARRIED IN THE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association — Copyright.' WELLINGTON, October 20. Continuing th e debate in the Council, Hon. M. Fagan said that Bitde teaching should be in the hands of the clergy ( who were fully qualified for the work, and could give instruction with proper reverence. There was a grave danger of teachers who objected to teaching the Bible, being penalised, especially in country schools. The exemption clause would not be worth the paper it was written ou. There was less sectarianism and bitterness in New Zealand schools than in the States of Australia, where Bible reading was given. Sir J. Parr afaid the bulk of the clergy had no time to teach the whole .religious instruction to dhildren } as they were already overworked. The bill did hot propose any radical alteration, as religious instruction was already given in secondary schools. it Was simply a matter of extending the principle to primary schools. New Zealand was almost the only country in the world which debarred primary children from having any kind of religious instruction, and it was not tight that the Dominion should lag behind. The secular system of education was .an unusual exception to the rule. True ■education should pay attention t° the child’s spiritual as well as mental and physical sides, It had been stated that mothers should carry out the religious instruction to children, but mothers especially in country districts, had their hands full with their duties, nnd could not spare the time. ■Hon. 'Mr McCallum said the formalism proposed in the bill would not get they anywhere. It was necessary that there should b e dogma al'o, and the only true religious method of instructing children was to allow the clergy to go into the schools before or after ■school hours. The growth of the Christian spirit in New Zealand wns shown in the social legislation. WELLINGTON, October 21.

In the Legislative Council yesterday the second reading of the debate on tihe Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill was brought, to a conclusion. The division on the second reading resulted in ten voting in favoui and ten against. The division list was ; For—Allen, Buddo, Collins, Jones, Isitt, Moore, Parr, Rhodes, Smith, Snodgrass.

Against—Bell, Carrington, Fagan, Hanan ; McCallum, Masters. _ Scott, ’-Stevenson, Trevithick. Witty. The Speaker (Hon. W, C. Carncro-s) s.aid he would follow the practice laid down in tip House of Commons a hundred years ago, and vote for further discussion on the Bill, Had the devision been on the final stage of the Bill, he would have, jn all probability, voted against jt. Pairs were - For—Sidey, Mitchellson. Against—.Mclntyre and McGregor,

It was decided to take the committee stage to-day. The Council rose at at 5.15 p.m.