RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3709, 27 October 1927, Page 3

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM FAVOURED. SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT. By a majority of three, the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, which heard evi- / dence on the Bible-in-sehools petitions, recommends the maintenance of the present system of education, and favourably refers to the adoption of a voluntary system of religious instruction akin to the Nelson system. Presentation of the report yesterday was followed by a preliminary debate on the whole question. Tlfe committee’s report, presented by the chairman, was as follows: — “I am directed to report that the committee has heard evidence on the subject matter of these petitions, and is of opinion: That' the New Zealand 'State system of free, secular, and compulsory education (under ' which our children have received incalculable benefits,, and under which, after fifty years’ experience, our people —the immense majority of \vhom have passed through our schools- — compare piost favourably morally, socially, and religiously with the people of any other part of the world) should be maintained. Further, that the committee is fully alive to the value of Biblical and religious instruction, and is of opinion that full opportunity should be given for the adoption of a voluntary system, such as that known' as the Nelson system, in which the teaching is imparted outside the statutory school hours, under which the State exercises no authority in religious matters, and under which there is no compulsion or violation of the rights of conscience.”