Bible Reading In Schools.

Manawatu Herald, 6 November 1902, Page 2

Bible Reading In Schools.

Mr S. H. Baker, the Secretary of the Foxton Branch of the Society for the promotion of Bible reading in Schools, has requested us to publish the following letters from the candidates for the representation ot Manawatu Dear Sir, —In reply to your letter of the 2znd inst. relating to the promotion of Bible reading in State schools, for which I am obliged to you, I desire to say that-During my public life I have always held the opinion that no Child 1* properly educated Unless taught in accordance with the tenets Of sonie religious belief, and this more particularly applies td the Catholic faith, as according to their doctrine no such phrase as “ Secular Education ” is acknowledged in accordance with their Educational system, and front what has fsceatly transpired thm appears to be a unanimity of opinion between the most religious sections of the community requiring that the rising generation shall be taught in accordance with some degree Of religious belief, such being the case it is reasonable that future legislation should tend in the direction of enabling this much desired object to be attained.

This great, and one of the most important questions with which Parliament will have to deal, should be approached by all sections of the community with calm consideration,' careful and sound deliberation, from every point df View likely to affect the principal involved. . I therefore do not believe that the desired object will be attained by hastily introducing legislation for the. purpose of enabling religious instruction to be given in our State Schools as suggested in paragraph (r) of the question submitted me by your society. In my opinion the preferable course to pursue Is that which is contained in paragraph (2) of the question, by which means the principal involved, together with the numerous details, will bs dis-= cussed by the people and by parliament, for the purpose of settling a definite issue as to which are the most practicable means of enabling the people to attain that most desirable for the improvement of our system of education in this colony. I shall therefore, if again returned to represent this district in Parliament, support a referendum to the electors asking their opinions with regard to a measure of this character. Yonrs faithfully, John STfiVSNs.

Dear Sir, —Replying to your circular re Bible reading in schools—The movement has my entire sympathy, and will, if returned, give the question my earnest consideration.

If it is the wish of the people of this colony (and I believe it is) that a referendum bo taken, I will, if returned, be most happy to use my utmost power to give effect to that wish, and after the referendum I shall be glad to further the object aimed at by legislation.

Yours very truly, Job Vile. Candidate for Manawatu.