BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 August 1929, Page 9

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

BILL IN UPPER HOUSE (By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, This Day. Although there are no indications as yet that a Religious Exercises in Schools Bill on the lines of the measures previously introduced will appear this session in the House of Representatives, the subject lias definitely been introduced in the Legislative Council in tho Education Amendment Bill of the Hon. G. M. Thomson (Otago) read the first time today. It is on the same lines as the Bill inIroduced in the Upper House last session by the same .councillor, but not proceeded with as a similar ‘measure had been defeated in the House of Representatives. Mr Thomson proposes that teaching in schools shall be made "secular in the sense of noil-sectarian.” With a view of affording facilities for giving religious instructions by qualified persons approved by the Minister, he suggests that half an hour on one or two school days in each week shall be set apart and that during that time no secular instruction shall bn given to children not attending classes for religious instruction. He also proposes that no child shall he required to attend for religious instruction unless his parent or guardian lias signified in writing his willingness, and that no State school teacher shall he required to give religious instruction though he may be required to see that order and discipline arc preserved in the classrooms and school grounds.