BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1922, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

THE ROTORUA CONTROVERSY. Auckland, June 7. The Education Board has considered the bible in schools controversy at Rotorua. The headmaster is reported as having strongly protested against Archdeacon Chatterton and the Rev. A. Banderson entering the schools for the purpose of giving religious instruction to scholars. On another occasion six members of the Bible-in-Schools League entered the school. The board was advised by its solicitor to inform the committee that its action in altering school hours was ultra vires, and the committee must observe school hours. This course was resolve’d upon by the board. It was also resolved that it was at liberty to have religious and moral instruction given outside those hours. It was further resolved that, if the entry of clergymen and others be persisted in within the hours defined, they will be regarded as trespassers. The solicitor considered that if the committee disregarded the board’s instruction it would be necessary to apply to the Supreme Court for either a declaratory judgment for the interpretation of certain sections of the Act or for an injunction restraining the committee from altering the school hours already fixed by the board. A letter was received from the committee requesting a decision by the board. It was suggested that the board should bring itself into conformity with other boards in the Dominion and permit classes to be continued with such safeguards as may be deemed necessary. The communication also pointed out that the present position of the staff was untenable. The board approved the headmaster’s action.