THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 172, 7 December 1912, Page 5

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

ORGANISED OPPOSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchureh, Last Night. At a meeting attended by fifty, including several ladies, and composed chiefly of public school teachers, it was decided that a league be formed in.Christchurch to oppose the platform of the Bible in Schools League, and to support the present system of free secular and compulsory education. Officers were appointed, Mr. J. Caughley, M.A., being elected president. The following is the basis of the platform referred to a committee to draw up the League's platform:—(l) While recognising the value of the Bible and of religion, we maintain that the policy proposed by the Bible in School League is opposed to civil and religious liberty, and is a menace to our national system of education: (2) we. therefore, pledge onrselves to defend the present national secular system of education; (3) we also pledge ourselves to resist the proposal to take a referendum on a question which deals with religion and liberty of conscience. Wellington, Last Night.

A largely attended public meeting in the Town Hall to-night, presided over by the Mayor, decided to form a National Schools Defence League, to defend tho existing national system of education. The following resolutions were passed: (1) That this meeting is of opinion that there should be no departure from the existing free, secular and compulsory system of State education; (2) as the proposals of the Bible in Schools League raise issues involving, both for parents and touchers, matters of conscience, this meeting is of opinion that no such issues should be detrmined by means of a general plebiscite or referendum.