BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16486, 27 February 1914, Page 9

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DEMAND FOB THE REFERENDUM [Pir Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, February 26. At a conference of delegates of the Biblo in. State Schools League, ..representing central and other “committees, covering the whole dominion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr J. C. Adams (chairman of the Canterbury College Board of Governors), and seconded by Mr Gilbert Carson (Wanganui) :—“ That the Government be respectfully but firmly urged to introduce this session a Bill containing a referendum on. the question for ■which up to December 31 133,080 individual electors of New Zealand have signed a written request. This conference is of opinion that the request for the referendum would have been, expressed in many instances in much stronger ways but for loyalty to the policy of the executive during the past year, and this conference is further of opinion that the demand for the referendum is so intense that disappointment at any failure to carry a Referendum Bill this coming session will be acutely felt in every electorate, especially by women voters.” Canon Garland stated to-night that during the conference, which was not open to the Press, it was announced that the League’s position was much stronger than that of the prohibition movement when the Government first introduced legislation in connection with the latter. The prohibition movement then had only 100,000 votes known to be behind it, whereas the League had now a signed membership representing 133,060 votes. The impression was given during the proceedings that the conference, as representing the members of the League, was determined not to sit still, but meant business; further, that it had a year to impress upon Parliament how much it meant business. In this connection a recommendation was made that if there were any sign of tardiness a “League of Earnestness” should be formed within tho League of those wiling to put Bible in State Schools before any political party issue. This decision was also accompanied by a recommendation that £SOOO should be raised for tho final campaign.In connection with the proposal to utilise the Nelson system as a solution of the problem, it was regarded by the conference as too late to bring this forward as an alternative, the system being referred to as utterly inadequate from a national point of view. This opinion was expressed very clearly _ by some of those prosont, who were actively working under the Nelson system. “The interesting fact was disclosed,” Canon Garland added,, "that some primary schools sre now being opened

by Stato school teachers with prayer and Bible lessons, while in others Bible lessons are given by visitors during the ordinary ecliool hours. It was recognised that this infringement of the Act is an indication of the growing dissatisfaction with the existing condition of things when teachers and parents, in defiance of tho Act, thus find a place for religious teaching.”