RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9647, 12 November 1909, Page 5

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

APPROVED BY MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A deputation, consisting of Revs. H. Watson, a. Hodge, C. E. Porter and . A. T. Thompson, waited on the Committee of the Masterton District High School at their meeting last evening with regard to the Bible in Schools question. Rev. Watson said that he had been asked to speak on behalf of the other members of the deputation to bring before the Committee the matter of introducing into the schools here the Neison system of re ligious instruction. This system allows for the one half hour of religious instruction one day in each week. The school hours were five hours a day, and the minimum four hours, so that it was possible for the school hours to be reduced from five to four and a half hours on the day proposed and they thought the best time for it was from 9to 9.30 a.m. Mr W. H. Jackson, the Headmaster, had been approached in the matter, and had expressed his willingness to give them every assistance in the matter. The depu- . tation had agreed to do the best they could if the Committeee thought fit that the system should be given a trial. Rev. Hodge said that it was not clear whether the Committee hal he power to grant the permission, but he hoped so. He hailed the opportunity given to them, not b( causa the Nelson system was the bes% bit because it was the only plan. He would like to lee Bible history taught, and not religion at all, as a minister had his opportunity to do that at the right time and place. It was not from the fear of denominationalism that ha advocated this —in fact he was convinced that there would be no trouble in this direction at all. He hoped the Committee would sanction the'half hour a week for the purpose.

Rev. Thompson said they wer: quite prepared to do their duty towards the children, and they d

rely on the support of the parents The time at their disposal on Sundays was very limited , and they did not reach the children as sufficiently as they would like. He was sure there would be no trouble on the score of denominationalism. Nothing would please them better than im parting further instruction than could be done on Sundays. Rev. Forter said on one occasion it had been hi s privilege to actually take part in the Nelson system at one of the schools there. He was visi'ing Nelson at the time, and he regarded the time spent in teaching ?? 99.® 9? his; mo«t enjoyable

experiences. Mr CMprdfitl askfcd Mr Porter if the children appeared! to take much interest in the work. . Rev. Porter said as he was only a visitor there hfe couli not say, but it was evident that the children did not look look upon it as an extra task

imposed. , The Chairman (Mr R. Brown ) said he would not like to see the movement commenced and not continued. He had always held the opinion that it was extraordinary that the Bible should be absolutely prohibited from schools. The time for teaching on Sundays was far too short and per- ! sonally he saw no reason why religious instruction should not be given during the week. Rev. Watson stated that they expected to have seven en • gaged in the work, and they would be prepared to start at the beginning of the year. The question had also been discussed of introducing the system to the infant school, but as it only opened four hours each day in the week some difficulty might be experienced in carrying out the proposal.

Rev. Hodge said their idea was to divide tbe school into divisions so that each man would have his own division, and the teaching would be

consecutive. The deputation then withdrew. The matter was discussed by the Committee, and on the motion of Mr Thompson, seconded by Mr Carpenter, the following resolution was carried:—"That the Masterton District High School Committee approve the setting apart of half an hour during school hours on one day in each week for Bible instruction in the Masterton District High School on the Nelson system, and that the Committee take the necessary steps to ask the Ministers Association to give such instruction, the visiting committee to confer with the chairman and headmaster, and co be a committee to give effect to the resolution."