REFERENDUM BILL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 July 1914, Page 4

REFERENDUM BILL

THE Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill provides that a poll be taken simultaneously with the general election under the provisions of the Electoral Act, each voter being entitled 4o one vote. No reference is made to the majority required, and the assumption is that a bare majority decides. The form of the question set out in the schedule is as follows : —

"Religious instruction in schools referendum, scheme of instruction :

"(1) That provision be made for reading in public schools, within school hours, of selected Bible lessons from a reading book to be .provided by the Education Department, such reading to be conducted under the supervision of the public school teachers, bu,t no sectarian teaching to be allowed. \ " (2) That provision be made for religious instruction to be given within school hours to children by a minister of their own denomination or an accredited substitute, any parent to have the right, if he chooses, to withdraw his child from Bible reading or from religious instruction, or from both.

" I vote in favour of the above system.

"I vote against the above system."

! The Minister for Education must lay the result of the poll before Parliament.