AT VARIANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21246, 17 October 1940, Page 10

AT VARIANCE

BOARD AND DEPARTMENT LORD'S PRAYER IN SCHOOLS DECISION TO CARRY ON (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday A direction from the Education Department that a decision of the Wellington Education Board to permit the recital of the Lord’s Prayer in schools in its jurisdiction was contrary to law and must not be proceeded with was opposed by the board when it met today. A majority of the members argued that there should be no bar to voluntary recital of the prayer. A resolution was carried stating that the decision reached was a matter for the board and the school committees, and not one for the department. The secretary reported that two letters had been received from the Director of Education. The first stated that the matter \yas very controversial and asked for the board’s legal authority for the step. It also asked the board to defer action on its decision until the legal position was clear.

The second letter stated that it must be clear to the board that it had not, in law, authority for the direction it proposed to give. After referring to the Education Act and regulations governing the conduct of public schools, the letter concluded:— Authority Exceeded “Provisions which refer to the authority of the board—which do not operate in the present instance—serve to emphasise that the board is purporting to enter a sphere in which the department alone has authority. I Tire proposed instruction, therefore, , can be of no effect, and I should be ! glad if the board would see that it is not proceeded with.” Mr T. W. McDonald moved that the letters from the Director of Education be received and that he be informed as follows: That the board saw no reason why it should obtain legal opinion in this particular instance, any more than in several other instances where it previously dealt with the same subject. That the decision of the board to have the schools opened each day with the Lord's Prayer was a matter for the board and school committees, and not for the department. Thai tne opening referred to concluded immediately before the start oi secular school work. That the resolution of the board had ! already been put into operation. The motion was carried by nine votes to three.