CANADIAN LAWS CONCERNING BIBLE READING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 11, 1 June 1914, Page 6

CANADIAN LAWS CONCERNING BIBLE READING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l walked' inlto a public school in Vancouver City, 8.C., and asked the teacher if any religious' instruction was given. His ruply was lihut the 'school was always opened by a ■repetition of the Lord's Prayer. As we New Zealandew are seeking for information on itihis question oi religious, instruction in ■stole schools, the following Canadian hows on the sailsjeet are worthy of note:—

Ontario Province (population 2,519,002 in Mil).—"The Scripture shall be raid daily and systematically; the pormad may be taken from the book of Scripture selections adopted by Ulte Department for that purpose, or from. 41he Bible, as the Trustees iby resolution may d.rcci. Tho Ten Commandments are .repeated once a week."

Quebec Province (population 2,000,G97 in li)U).—"There are Roman Catholic State *hools and Protestant State schools, each supported out of taxation Mi their own respective (properties and Gleivornment grants. Tlhie Bible is read conrpulsorily in Protestant public schools."

New Brunswick (population 351,815 in 1011).—"It shall be file privilege of every teacher to open and close the daily exercises of the school byl reading a portion of Scripture (out wf the common, or Douay version as he imay prefer), and by offering the Lord's Prayer. But no teaclhler shall compel any .pupil to be present at 'these exercise* against the wish of his parent or guardian, expressed in waiting) to the Board of (sclMol) Trustees."

Saskatchewan Province (population 453,508 in 1911).—"The local Boards may permit religious mst/ruction in schools."

Manitoba Province (population 4i4,fi91 in 1911)'. —"Religious' exercises in 'public school's siliHll be conducted according to Ihs regulations of the 'Advisory Board. . . . . S'.!|ch religious. exercise shall take -place . . . and shall be conducted by any Christian clcngyim.au . . or by any person duly authorised by such clergyman, or by a teacher wihfcn so authorised. . . . Where the schoolroom accommodation at tho disposal! of the (school) trustees permits, instead of aPlrttt'ing different days of the week to different denominations for the purpose of religious teaching, the .pupils may be separated when the hour for religions teaching arrives, and placed in different rooms."

A,t the 'Scripture reading there is no jiilni:r,iK-L.ioii given; just a simple reading without comment.—T am. etc.,

S. PEARSON. 253 Cuba Street, Wellington.

May 20. 1014.