T. A. HUNTEIi.

47

1.—13b.

of a Referendum Bill, and not by .'i side issue, as is now being attempted. We sincerely trust thai in the interests of the State, or morals, and of religion, the Hill will be thrown out ; but, it not. then we have every confidence thai members of Parliament in the interests of fair play will take care- (I.) Thai the Hill is fairly described as a Plebiscite Bill. (2.) That the issues are divided and clearly stated in the way I have indicated. (."!.) That the present national system is given its rightful place on the ballot-paper. (I.) Thai no ballot is taken until the proposed textbook lias been o piled, and the electors have bad reasonable opportunity of becoming acquainted wiih its contents. (.'>.) That provision is made for subsequent and regular plebiscites on this question,'as is the ease in Ihe licensing poll, ((i.) That in no ease shall any individual—whether clerical or lay — be given the right to appoint a substitute to give lessons in State schools within school-hours. (7.) Thai a conscience clause for teachers is provided. (8.) That the right of entry is dearly defined; on what days and during what hours the clergy shall have this right; are all religions to be given the same facilities/ Will the Morn s and the llauhaus be given the light.' (This is important, as we have many Native schools.) Will the Theosophists. the Star of the East, the ('hristadelphians, liestorat ionists, ami others be given this right? (9.) That provision is made so that no one is compelled to pay taxes for the propagation of religious views to which he is cnnscieiitiously opposed. Members of Parliament should also realize thai if the scheme is to be introduced it will be necessary —(I) to abolish all Education Hoards and School Committees (see New South Wales): (2) to draw up a set of odious regulations to restrict the civil, political, ami religious liberty of the teachers (see New South Wales). Tin- Nelson System— An Equitablt Solution nf tin Problem The political catch-cry of Ihe Hible-i n-schools party is that it wants the Bible in schools. lis struggle, it says, is a battle lor the Bible. This is easily tested. Under what is known as the Nelson s\steui the iiev. .1. 11. Mackenzie reports that 1)7 per cent, of the children attending (h< , schools in the Town of Nckon are given Bible lessons; Rev. I. K. Mclntyre reports that about !'l per cent, of the children attending eight of the Dunedin schools are given Bible lessons; liev. .1. A. Asher report'- that over '.hi per cent, of the children attending the schools of Napier are given Bible lessons; Mr. J. 1). Watson reports that 98 per cent, of the children attending the school at Waipawa are given Bible lessons; Mr. Holmeß reports that over 1)0 per cent, of the children attending the school at llavelock North are given Bible lessons; and similarly in other places clergymen and others have ceased political agitation and thrown themselves enthusiastically into this work. It is true that sonic Education Hoards and School Committees have refused to grani (lie necessary facilities, but a clause in i hi . Education Hill now before Parliament .would remove 1 hat obstacle. The following aie tin' essential features of the Nelson system : (I.) On one or more mornings in the week the school opens half an hour later than usual, provided tin , legal minimum of four hours per day for secular instruction is not encroached upon. (2.) During this period or periods the schools inav lie used by the clerg\ or accredited representatives who are willing to give, jointly or severally, as they may arrange. Bible lessons to those children whose parents so desire. This system has obvious advantages over the most unjust one suggested by the Bible in Schools League. (1.) It is purely voluntary, both for pupil and for teachers. (2.) The State takes no part in teaching religion, and is required to contribute nothing towards the cosi of the work. (•'!.) The system is fair to all. and has been shown to be effective. If a clause wire inserted in the Education Hill carefully defining the Nelson system and slating the extent of the privileges granted, and if the operation of the system did not depend on Ihe sanction of School Committees or Boards, the so-called religious difficulty in our schools would be permanently solved without any danger to the integrity of the national system. Such a system would effectually test the sincerity of those who are asking thai they may Iμ. , allowed the opportunity of giving Bible lessons to children, and would do injustice to no one. We claim thai our evidence lias shown that for the State the secular solution is the only just one short of the wasteful and inefficient method of denominational schools; that the morality of the Dominion is a testimony In the sound basis of our ci 1 uca tion al system ; that the New Sou til Wales system of religious instruction has been a signal failure; thai the proposals of the Bible in Schools League are mosi unjust in almost every particular, and 'that the Nelson system provides a fair and adequate method of giving Bible lessons to the children of those parents who desire it for their children. Whatever defects there may be in our national system of primary education, the system stands as a lasting monument to the sagacity, liberality, and Christian tolerance of the political leaders of the past. Any Parliament or party that wrecks it by the introduction of sectarian differences will go down to posterity as foolish, narrow-minded, and intolerant, and will provide for many years to come their own ignominious memorial in the bitter sectarian quarrels thai musi ensue. .'!. ('(mint Garland.] In your statement. Professor Hunter, you quoted the opinions of certain members of the Queensland Parliament in the year 11)10. Would vim please tell me, for instance, what you know about Mr. Lesina?-—1 do not know anything about any of the gentlemen except those statements of theirs. I. Are you aware that Mr. Lesina came over to this country as agent for the liquor party as against the Prohibition partvi No. 5. Are you aware that they dispensed with his services? —No. 1 can say that I am not acquainted with any of those men who have been quoted. (i. Are you aware that lie was expelled from the Labour party?- -No. 7. Are YOU aware that he was rejected by the electors I — No. , S. Have you read the record in 'he police proceedings in regard to Mr. Lesina in the Queensland BfUntardi- No, I have not.