BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 May 1914, Page 5

BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS LEAGUE

The Eev J. a Calder, accompanied by his wife, has been in Helensville for a few days this week. Mr Calder is travel ing secretary of the Bible in State bchools League, and is now working v through the Kaipara electorate, visiting the various centres and organising the work of the League in view of the- • general election this year. The Bible 4&\ in State Schools League, which was .fW formed two years ago by an alliance " '' : entered mto by the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches, into which alliance, the Salvation Army ' afterwards entered, exists to secure the introduction into the State Schools of ' the Dominion of the system of Bible reading and religious instruction which is in successful operation in the majority of the Australian States-in New South Wal es for 47 y ear s. There are three . principles involved in this system, the :'- ---right of the parent to control the ■ /: education ot his child, the reading by the . i children of portions of the Bible under ~< tne supervision of their teachers, and the right of entry to Ministers of all Onurohes to give instruction to the children of their own Church. The League now numbers over 137,700 members (a quarter of the electors of the \ Dominion), and is demanding that this : question, which is nbt one of party ■ ■ politics and which is one that concerns every p arent and every chil BhaU referred to the decision of the whole o the electors for permanent settlement