THREAT OF ACTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 913, 5 March 1930, Page 11

THREAT OF ACTION

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS AND RATIONALISTS GUARDING IRREGULARITIES Violation of the provisions of the Education Act in regard to religious instruction in schools, unless steps are taken by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, to correct irregular practices, will result in a Supreme Court action by the New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Rationalism. An announcement of this attitude on the part of the association came before the Auckland Education Board this morning. The board, for the sake of teachers who may have failed to observe the regulations, decided to seek legal advice to explain the position to tlie headmasters of schools practising the Nelson system of Bible instruction. It was emphasised that there should be no compulsion on attendance at the religious classes, which also must be held apart from school hours. The association asked for a list of Auckland schools where the system was employed and. in another letter, sent a copy of letters forwarded to the Minister and to headmasters concerned. This letter, sent out by Mr. G. A. Rawson, the organising secretary, said:—

1 am requested by general meeting of the association to draw your attention to the fact that in the Ponsonby, Richmond Road, Curran Street and Bayfield schools in the Auckland education district, it is reported that a system of religious instruction has been introduced that is a violation of the provisions of the Education Act, to wit, one half-hour’s religious lesson a week is 1p be given to the children of the fourth, fifth and sixth -standards, children being exempted from attendance only at the written request of their parents. The provisions of the Education Act, 1908, referred to is section 3 43, clauses a, b, and c. Clause a sets out the subjects of instruction, of which religious exercises is not one. Clause b states: ‘The school shall be kept open five days in each week for at least four hours, two of which in the forenoon and two in the afternoon shall be consecutive, and the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character.' Clause c sets out that the school may be used for other purposes ‘on days and at hours other than those used for school purposes.’ “The association trusts that you will take prompt, steps to bring about a cessation of this illegal practice or direct a prosecution against the person or persons offending. “1 have to state * that, in the everit of such action not being taken by the Minister, Supreme Court proceedings will be instituted by this association. Meanwhile it is the opinion of the association that no headmaster or other teacher may legally associate himself or herself officially with these exercises either in the way of handing over assembled classes to the religious instructors, permitting such exercises in school hours, calling a roll prior to the commencement of such exercises, or in any way requiring from parents or pupils that the latter should attend such exercises. It ;s the intention of tlie association to join ar ?Y teachers so acting as defendants with other persons concerned in anv legal action it may take.” Regulations relating to the system read by the chairman of the board, Mr. A. Burns, explained that the instrucI tlon was not to take place in school hours. “SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY” "Attendance by children at the religious classes should be purely voluntary,” Mr. Burns said. “No form of compulsion should exist —even a request by a headmaster for a note excusing a pupil ‘from attendance could be regarded as a form of compulsion.” Mr. W. Campbell, in mentioning the general wish of parents to have some form of religious instruction carried out, said the board would benefit in obtaining legal opinion. Mr. H. S. W. King: The only point which should concern us is whether the system is being carried out in accordance with the regulations. The Rationalists’ Association says that there will be a Supreme Court action; this would be the best thing to happen. “There may be teachers who are allowing themselves to come under the embargo which the association could enforce,” said Mr. Burns. Mr. T. U. Wells agreed that school work should not proceed while religious classes were being carried on. A motion to obtain legal advice, for notification to headmasters, was carried. Mi-. King remarking tliat tho Rationalists’ Association’s action might go no further than a threat. Te this, Mr. Burns made it clear that he was concerned, not at the threat, bunt the possibility of teachers being placed in an awkward position.