RELIGION AT SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4595, 31 August 1923, Page 2

RELIGION AT SCHOOL.

(To the Editor.! Sir, —11/ my capacity as secretary of the Netherton School Committee I had to reply to a letter which was received from Father Dunphy, Paeroa, applying for permission to give religious instruction in’premises on our school grounds. Since replying tc that letter there has been a campaign directed against me by ‘ unscrupulous people, who have spread calumny and misrepresentation throughout this and, other districts. My committee desire it t,o be known .that their first interest is in the welfare of our school; also, that anything which cpme.s before them does, and always will, receive the greatest consideration and respect. We as a school committee do not associate ourselves with such intolerance, and to put an end to the calumny which has been spread my committee requests you to publish this letter and a copy of the reply, which was read to and approved of by my committee and sent to Father Dunphy,, Paeroa. R. ADAM, Sec. Netherpn School Committee. The following is a copy of the letter to Father Dunphy “I am advised by my committee to inform you that your request was put before them and duly considered. For the well being of our school and district we respectfully decline tp allow any denomination to give religious instruction in any premises on pur school grounds.”—R. Adam, secretary.