THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2732, 10 February 1910, Page 2

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

REPLY FROM NELSON TO MR

LEE. The Rev. J. H. McKenzie, founder of the Nelson system of Bible instruction in State * schools, and chairman of the Nelson Schools Committee, when seen by' an “Evening Mai!” reporter regarding the recent controversy in Wellington over the question of religious instruction in schools, and the references made to the Nelson system, remarked: “Judging Mr. Lee by his speech, he lives in fear and dread of ghosts of the middle ages long since buried. I am as much opposed to the State giving religious instruction as Mr l.ee can possibly be, and 1 have always been so. The facts in Nelson, alter 12 years’ experience, put Mr Lee’s fancies to rout. No appointment of a 'teacher has ever been influenced by his 'probable attitude towards the religious lesson. At an early stage the (State Teachers’ Association agreed that they 'would 'not in any case take the Biblelesson, although as citizens they might have done so. The man who-suggests that our State teachers might become slaves to priestcraft has little knowledge of them. Under our system there 'is no denominationalism whatever, either in the lessons or in the separation of the children, in which matters 'we differ totally from the New South •Wales method. The right of giving the use of school buildings outside the legal school hours is the only fragment of authority left with committees. Mr. Lee asks why the buildings should be given for religious teaching? But the buildings especially in country places, are constantly granted for all manner of strolling players, dances, etc. Why should the religious taxpayer be refused the use of them?. No board has any authority either to permit or to refuse to permit religious teaching. The only question for the board is: Will it reduce the hours from 25 to 244 ? and as !.i matter of courtesy the board is told. Aliy this is asked. (Sir Robert Stout is 'opposed to Mr. Lee’s views, so is his 'Honor Mr. Justice Cooper, and at our annual meeting at Christmas his Honor Mr. Justice Denniston presided. Otago. 'Southland, Hawkes Bay, and Wanganui are all against Mr. Lee. The committees have the question in their own hands. Mr. F. G. Gibbs, headmaster of the largest Nelson school, says the system interferes in no way with school work, nor does it cause sectarian Strife.”