BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 7

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

NOTICE OF NEW BILL PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MEASURE (THE STJN’S Parliamentary Reporter .) WELLINGTON, Thurs. Notice of his intention to introduce the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill was given in the House to-day by Mr. H. Holland (Christchurch North). The Bill is on the lines of that introduced in the Legislative Council last session by the Hon. L. M. Isitt. Mr. Isitt’s Bill applied to public schools, native schools, secondary schools and technical high schools, and provided that part of the school hours —not less than 15 and not more than 20 minutes —should be allotted to the performance of religious exercises, provided that on one day in each week there may be substituted patriotic exercises as prescribed by the regulations. No child or teacher is to be compelled to attend, and in cases where all teachers object the school comiAittee or controlling authority is to be empowered to nominate an authority to take control. The Bible in State Schools League has decided to make an amendment in the clause of Mr. Isitt’s Bill which says the exercises are to be compiled by the Education Department after consultation with the Christian churches. This definition, the promoters of the Bill think, is too vague, and before the Bill comes up for discussion the clause will be redrafted. The statement on the voting cards now being circulated by the Bible in Schools League in its plebiscite of the parents that the cards are being issued with the approval of the Minister of Education led Mr. H. Atmore, Nelson, to give notice to-day that he intended to ask the Prime Minister whether this could be taken as an indication that the Government intended to make the question a party one.