BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 16

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

MR. CAUGHLEY’S VIEWS “THIN END OF WEDGE” OPPOSITION TO BILL "The Church would be committing suicide by handing the work over to the State. This is only the th:n end of the wedge, and I am convinced the proposers of the Bill want to go further,” stated Mr. J. Caughley, late director of education, speaking last evening in opposition to the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill. Mr. C. E. Major, president of the State Education Defence League, presided over a moderate attendance. Prior to 1873, said Mr. Caughley, a great deal of the primary education was under the control of denominational bodies. Later on account of denominational differences, a form of national education came into being. There was, he said, no State which could ever give a system suitable for all denominations. The religion proposed, that of the Protestant churches, was opposed by the Roman Catholics, and certainly was not supported by the Jews. It was not a teaching in which any Jew could take part, and Bishop Cleary had made it clear that no Roman Catholic who was true to his Church could take part. As a Protestant, said Mr. Caughley, he realised that it was foolish to blame the Catholics for believing that instruction could only be given by people of the Church. If instruction were permitted what reply could the Government give to requests for assistance from Roman Catholics and Jews who taught their own children? RIGHTS OF MINORITY

The Roman Catholics, lie said, comprised one-seventh of the population, and were more in numbers than the Methodists. In matters of conscience there could be no settlement by the will of the majority—the minority had an equal right to recognition. The Roman Catholics had always held that children should receive religious instruction. That the State should now take up a similar view’ and then virtually exclude them was, he considered, an injustice to the members of that religion.

Mr. Rupert Harrison, president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, considered that up to a certain age children could not understand religion, and whatever would be taught to the children would be a reflex of the teacher’s view.

“Religion in schools is not necessary." sgid Mr. Harrison. “We have as wholesome a body of children as In any country in the world. We have now the spirit of religion without the form which interferes with it.”

A resolution expressing uncompromising opposition to the Bill was carried.