RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 12, 15 January 1924, Page 7

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

FOR MAORI PUPILS. ASSOCLATION PRESIDENT'S SUGGESTION. Reference was made by the president lof the Native School Teacher.-;' Association (Mr. C. T. MoFarlane) iv his address at the annual conference this morning, to the members' responsibility in the moral instruction of their pupils. Though he believed that many teachers recognised this responsibility Mr. MoFarlane stated that something further was necessary, and be made no apology for contending that proper relig'.ous instruction should be introduced. The colonisation of New Zealand depended wholly upon the work and influence of the early missionaries. Anyone who bad read of the early struggles with the Maori, and of the evil influences that were at work in those early days, must come to the conclusion that without the missionaries the Treaty of Waitangi would not have been signed. Without the advice tendered, and accepted by the Maori, because of hid confidence in the missionaries, the history of New Zealand might easily have been very different. Later, in the times of stress the influence of those who imparted religious precepts and ideals were the peacemakers.' Christian ethics were a powerful influence in the lives of the Maori. "The time has come when our association should take up this matter and urge upon the Government tlie necessity for religious instruction to native schools," he added. "The present position is hard to understand. In the village schools the instruction must be secular, but as soon as a boy or girl is awarded a scholarship or free place, that boy or girl is handed over to a denominational school in which religious instruction plays an important part. Again in a scholarship examination conducted by the department tiiere is a paper on Biblical knowledge. In the ease of the secondary schools for Maoris the question of religious instruction is waived, and I am of the opinion that notwithstanding tho controversy in connection with the public schools, the department should be asked to agree to I religious instruction being given in all native schools."