BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 33, 29 June 1914, Page 5

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

DEFENCE LEAGUE PROTEST.

Per Press Association. Wellington, .Last Night.

The New Zealand National Wl'liools Defence held a demonstration at the Basin Reserve thfc afternoon. W'lien iipeedhes ,were delivered against the proposal to introduce tlio Bibhv lessons and, religious teaching in the Hate schools. The following resolution-) 'were declared' carried:-- •(.]) "This meetiiig'Jielieves ' that, our State constitution should guarantee fri ;• exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship without discrimination, and therefore mo*t umphati«i% protests against the •proposa',' to introduce a particular form of religious instruction" into our folate schools hv plebiscite '«r referendum''; (2) Al the proposals of tllve liible-iu-Schools 'League involve (a) compulsion 011 ■minorities 'to contribute to the cost, of religious instruction of children of majorities (b) the right of eutrv during the hours of compulsory attendance and consequent introduction of -sectarian dif-' fcrcnces and strife into our Klate schools; (c) assvmptiou of right to compel attendance at religious les-onw (>bv demanding written -request from parents for exemption of tlieir children) this meeting strongly protests against audi mijn-t and outrageous prbposa'.s. (3) As the teachers in our primary schools have entered the 'service of the State subject to no religious test, this meeting considers it a- gros-i injustice and deliberate breach of faitii to cornlie] them to conduct religious lesson* rnneceplable Co the people as whole, 'lenyinr; to them as teachers what is" conceded to them as parents'.