BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 131, 27 October 1914, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

CANON GARLAXD CROSS-KXA.UIXICD BISHOP OLEARY TAKES A 11ANO. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Wellington, October '2O. When the Kducution Committee utuct this morning to resume the evidence on the Bible-in-sellools question Canon Garland o'bjecited to cross-examinaLion by Mr Bales on the ground that lie di-1 wot represent any recognised body. Jl'r Bates was only ft witness and lie (Canon j Garland) said lie understood that only 'representatives of parLies were to cros-t- ---' examine him. Consequently lie did not ' ftsk for the right of cross-examinatk/u far liis witnessed.

The Chairman ruled that Sir Bates-, bavin™ commenced his cross-examination could not be Stopped now.

Canon Garland then asked that .Bisuuj) Cleary bo allowed to cross-ex-amine him, in order to give him -time to consult liis executive and solicitor, as to irlia/t attitude lie should take up with regard to Mr Bates. The committee agreed to this course. Bishop Cleary commenced tho crossexamination of Canon Garland. He agreed with Bishop Cleary as Lo iiloaU. hut differed from him as to tho methods. 11.0 could not accept the oll'er of the Catholics for religious instruction in schools on "conditions fair all round," because he understood one of the conditions made imperative was State aid for denominational schools. He did not. understand that a partial offer had been I made by the Catholics irrespective o( : school grants, lie did not consider it an I unfair statement that the principal op- | pononts to the Biblc-in-schools wen Catholics and atheists. The Natiwna

Schools Defence League was represents the-po'sition of atheists, notwithslani

ing that some Christian ministers wer associated with it. The league was ori; iuated a'l a meeting led by Mr Josep

McCabe who was a recognised secularist leader. If the Catholic bishops were successful in opposing the Bible-in-Schools League Hit effect, would lie to maintain the secular system, therefore it was not unfair to s&y they were fighting to .preserve the secular system, though they had been lighting the national system for 30 years and the bishop's present action would result in tho perpetuating of it. The Bible-iii-Sehools League was not antagonistic to tho national system. All ithcy assked wa3 the addition of religious teaching *s the keystone to enaible t'hie system to stand for ever. Any system of religious teaching thoroughly acceptable to the great majority of the ipeople would act as the keystone. Tho denominational system would foe anti-na-ti'omal. The .present system was politically the national system, ibut lie did not think it truly represented 'the national Christian spirit of tine Dominion, lie wao' afraid if a referendum' was refused the Anglicans and Presbyterian* might join with the Catholics in demanding State aid for their private schools, lie wanted to see a system established which would reach all children. The committee adjourned 'till '2.30. T.IIE EVIDENCE CLOSED. Welington, Last Night. On the Education Committee resuming this afternoon, in reply to further ques- ; lions by Distop Clcary, Canon Garland I said the acceptance by the Oovermment of Catholic Si'hool certificates did l not ! make such schools national. He did not question the good work tho Cathoj lie schools were doing. He thought it : would be a good thing if Catholic children were allowed to read the Douav ■ibiblo in schools. If Bishop Cleary would •agree to that as a solution of the difficulty, lie Would pledge himself to do all in his power to get his league to accept the solution. On the subject of a conference to discuss this question, lie was of opinion that those wliia desire the conference should invite it and state its terms. Ho would consider an invitation to an open conference. The letter sent iby the Catholic Federation did not amount to an invitation.

In reply to Bishop Cleary, Professor Hunter 'said he 'knew of no atheists ■prominently connectod with the National Bahoola Defence League. I't had 110 alliance with the Catholic Federation.

Mr Bates, after argument, examined Canon Garland on his 'experience of giving scripture lessons in Australia. The sittings of the committee for the purpose of taking evidence then closed.