BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 126, 21 October 1914, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

EVIDENCE BEFORE TUB committee;.

By Telegraph.—i'er Pre«B Awociatloa. Wellington, October '2O.

Tho Education Committee to-day continued Ukim? evidence on the Bi'blo-in-Btohools qucstioA The croas-ex&mana,-tion of the Rev. W. A. K«ay was continued 'by tne Rev. D. C. Bates, TYofeu. nor liunter, and Canon Garland.

The iKcv. John iPatorson, Presbyterian Minister of St. Paul's, Christoburdh, said ho wa» educated in New South kSoutili Wales, in Broken Hill. He was vice-president tiie lawnls' Association, and in Sydney was secretary of >iho Board of Public Examination, and was well in touch with the New South IWales system.. lie had never met nor h«ird a ainglo teacher w<lio considered that the system wan an injury it© his conscience; nor had lie known a teacher refuse to give a Bible lesson. He never knew boys' (parents refusing to allow them to attend religious classes, except . Jews, and never heard of any sectarian ' strife. He had always 'been moat cor- , dially welcomed by masters and ch.il- ! dren. The mail tor was quite settled in New South Wales and. 1 was never mentioneu (li electionrt. All agreed that it was the best solution of -tlhc religious instruction under existing conditions. The Bys'Lom might not be ideal, but was a working compromise capable of 'meeting the needs and objections of theim'.ss of thwe concerned. He was not aware that teachers in New South Wales could not express religious opinions. All they were forlbidden to do was to ofi'cnd the religious convictions of others. The Rev. G. S. Cook was cross-examin. ed. a— 1 -.1—■ —