BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10489, 28 November 1911, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

ITo The Editor.]

.Sir, —As the- question of Biblereadang ini State schoolls i& constantly being raised at political meetings, in an. indefinite form., 1 respectfully beg to suggest that tliis important quesftion !be put in the following» form (written: down if possible) to political 1 candidates, viz.— "Would yoti, if returned, to Parliiaiment, vote on every occasion for a BdH l which would permit a referendum ,to be taken on the question of allowing Bible instruotiom in State schools', •under the system in vogue in New Sou til WialSes for the paist 50 years?" The following is a .copy of the New South Wales Act:— Clauses 7, 17 and 1G orovide:

(Oaiise 7.) The school teacher kt school hours' gives selectedi Bible le&iboiis dirom a book provided for the purpose; but is not aMowed to give sectarian teaching. i. '(CH&use 17); Jfeiyimißister of ion; ite entitled l in isdliooT hours, on :ito:lbe'lasraitged with .the SeixjoJ• jOomniittee, - to. give . children of his'» rown, .separated from, others', an 'hour r is religious instruction.

(Clause 18.) Any parent may withdraw his chlildi , from a)l' religious teaching if he objects to such religious instruction being given. -The above .simply asks for a "referendum" on the question of allowing a Scriptuire text book (not the whole Bible) to be used in our State Schools, dim order, that our children may obtannr Eozne knowledge of the BSibfe, which is the greatest ' classic and the best text book on morals.. Without a doubt there is' in the rising generation—1. A disregardi for the sanctity of marriage, hence the increase of divorce among our young people. 2. A want of the sense of moral obligation' to .parents, hence, the numfber of old people isn receipt of charity. 3. A sinful waste of bread, which is thrown into the city dust bias every day, or burnt up in the stoves.

''■ £ 'A'wantr of d&a-vaiFy toWanfe w«r-" men. > 5. A* povedSty of ianguage. : , 6., An ignorance of-'ithe history <*f' ■tine y^^p-i^'^i^'i^^^^^^^f) ,thfe Ten CJonmandnlenfe'.'':' ■•■'•'■"■'"""-> i '■' fc r 8. Disregard! of Sabbath. A iknowtedge of itflie Bihliei would cor-, reot aM it/he above £ailings. • - . It As deplorable that the majority of Oitur Protestant clergy, who numr ber over 1000 in.New.Zealand, have for. ithie last 30 years been eo apathet- | fc on this KjuestAora t>f the religious i instruction of our children'.— I; am, | etc.,. ■ . ',' ■ ''| A NEW ZEALANDER.