THE NELSON SYSTEM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3874, 22 November 1928, Page 2

THE NELSON SYSTEM.

ADOPTED BY WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD. CHAIRMAN THREATENS TO RESIGN. A deputation of representatives of religious bodies waited upon the Wanganui Education Board yesterday for the purpose of obtaining permission to visit the schools for Bible instruction under what is known as the Nelson system. The Board some time ago, on the casting vote of the chairman, refused to sanction a similar request. The Rev. Williams, who headed the deputation, stated that it waited upon the Board as the officially .elected representtatives of all religious denominations of Wanganui, and asked it to restore the privilege previously enjoyed by the ministers of the town, with perfect satisfaction to them as well as to the parents, scholars and, he believed, the teachers. He referred to the Nelson system, which provided for Bible reading from 9 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. The practice was discontinued two years ago, under the impression that it was illegal. An opinion had been obtained, and this was shown not to be the case.

In order to test the feeling of the parents, a referendum was taken in Wanganui, and the result was that out of the parents who voted, 86 per cent, expressed a wish that, religious instruction should be restored.

After a number of questions had been submitted and answered the deputation withdrew. “I move that the permission to adopt the Nelson system be not granted,” said the chairman, after the deputation had retired. The new syllabus, which would come into operation next February, would take the teachers all their time to get through their work. Unless Bibla instruction was to be made universal he was not prepared to vote for it. He was returned on a ticket to oppose the Bible in schools. Mr. Adams seconded the motion and said that he had also received a mandate of seven to one to oppose such a measure. Mr. Oram: I consider that every child should have some form of Bible instruction. The Bible is the foundation of citizenship. The history of the Bible should be taught. Mr. J. Iv. Hornblow: I agree with Mr. Oram in all that he has said. It is becoming more and more essential that there must be a knowledge of God on the part of the children. Mr. J. S. Tingey said that he wanted to know why the chairman was against the introduction of the Nelson system. The speaker expressed himself as being in favour of it. The fact that one portion of the children was compelled to have religious instruction, while another portion was allowed to play, was remarked upon by Mr. R. Dukeson as being an unfavourable aspect of the system. The children would resent being kept in school under such circumstances. Mr. E. F. Hemingway: It is entirely a question for Parliament. I am opposed to the system. If the children were growing up absolutely Godless there might be some call for it. Mr. A. S. Coleman: I think that it is a step in the right direction. We are a link of the British nation and in England to-day the Bible is taught in every school. Therefore I am going to vote for the Nelson system. . Mr. W. S. Woodruffe: I think that some instruction should be given. CHAIRMAN’S APPEAL. The chairman: Mi-. Woodruffe supported me last time. I am sorry that he has “ratted.” When the Ministers’ Association had the opportunity of going into the schools before nine o’clock why didn’t they go? I don’t think they are worthy of sympathy. I am going to appeal to you, gentlemen, to change your votes. I appeal to you to consider the matter over again. I .will take it %s a vote of no confidence in myself if you grant the request. Cries of “No!” were heard from several members. The chairman: Yes, I am going' to resign if the motion is lost. Mi‘. Hornblow: I am going to protest against such an action. Mr. Coleman: I say that although I am voting against you in this, it is not right for you to put the motion as you have done. Mr. Oram rose to speak, but the chairman interrupted him by saying, “I am going to put the motion.” Mr. Oram: I rise to make an explanation. If a motion comes before the Board, each member is entitled to vote according to his own opinion. He votes according’, to the dictates of his conscience, and therefore the motion is not to be taken as a vote of no-confidence. (Hear, hear!) If we were voting on some action of yours, then it might be taken as a vote of noeoniidence. I feel that expresses the opinion of every member of the Board. Mi'. Hornblow: Mr. Oram is quite right. It is not a vote of no-confi-denee in you, but in those who sent you here. In recording your vote you have entered your protest and it should rest at that. The chairman: I have in a thing I have fought for so long, and 1 feel that I don’t want to stop on the Board any longer. The motion was put to the meeting and on a show of hands five votes were in favour of it and four against. The chairman stated that Mi'. Tingey, who voted in favour

of the motion, had done so against his convictions.

Mr. Tingey said that the reason he voted with the chairman was on account of the chairman’s remarks. He did not wish to imply that he had no confidence in him. The chairman: I have been on the Board 12 years, and have been for eight years its chairman. I have never taken exception to a motion against me, but this seems different. 1 have opposed this proposal and I.don’t think it a fair thing on the part of. the Board. I think that the people should decide. If Mr. Aitken had been here he would have voted against me, and therefore I ant going to hand in my resignation. The secretary reminded the meeting that the result of the voting on the motion had not been declared, and doubt was entertained by some members as to whether it had been lost or carried. It was eventually decided to clear the matter up by taking a vote on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr.'Adams, that the request of the deputation be not entertained. This was-lost and a motion proposed by Mr. Oram and seconded by Mr. Coleman, that the Board accede to the request of the deputation, was carried. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Collins had taken no action in regard to his resignation.—Wanganui Chronicle.