RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 9, 8 December 1926, Page 8

RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S RESOLUTION. Some discussion on religious exercises in schools took place at the monthly meeting last evening of Central School Committee consequent on the reading of a circular letter from the Wanganui Education Board to the effect that it did not approve of Bible l6ssons being given in schools during school hours. The chairman (Rev. Harold T. Phat) thereupon moved:—“That while recognising that, as the law stands at present, such lessons may not be given, the committee sincerely hopes that the board is not antagonistic to the movement now on foot to have the law amended; and that the committee, believing that the highest welfare of the child is .not being served by merely secular education, respectfully re-affirms its desire* to have religious exercises, in the State schools, of the Dominion.” In speaking in support of the motion, the chairman stated that there was a vast difference between Bible instruction in schools and religious exercises. He sincerely believed that the best interests of education would be served by giving effect to the resolution. Mr W. R. Hayes expressed the hope that the chairman would raise the matter . at a forthcoming meeting of the Combined School Committees’ Association, so that more weight could be given to the resolution.

Without any further discussion, the motion was put to the meeting and was carried unanimously.