RELIGION IN THE SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3686, 22 November 1912, Page 2

RELIGION IN THE SCHOOLS.

tTO THE EDITOR.) Sir, —Your correspondent in yesterday s issue, who signed himself "Secular” says that the State has no right to teach religion in the schools. The advocates of the movement which is being organised by Canon Garland in the Dominion quite agree with "Secular” in this respect. The New South Wales system which is the system being advocated is based upon this very principle—that it is not the province of the State to teach religion, but that, it is the duty of the State to give facilities for accredited representatives of the various religious bodies to teach religion to those chil- I dren whose parents wish them to have j the benefit of such instruction, so long j as any children whose parents do not wish them to take advantage of such opportunities are not expected to attend the classes. This is in accordance with true liberty and true democracy. The New South Wales system further provides for the reading of .'portions of the Bible selected by the education Department as literature, under the supervision of the teachers, but without any distinctive religious teaching. This is in accordance with the opinion expressed by such educational experts as Matthew Arnold and Huxley, who were both as strongly opposed as “Secular” to the State giving definite religious instruction. Even this is not to be imposed upon any child if the parent objects, so that nothing could .be fairer, or more likely to give general satisfaction, as is found in Australia wherever this system is in force. —I am, etc., i LIBERTY.