No one had roiy right to assume tlva.t Roman Catholic teachers would smother tbeir consciences for the sake of their salaries. "If we are to have text books," said Mr Weston, "that would in any way be dis tasteful to one or more of the Churches or denominations then I would say that we ought not for one moment allow them in our State primary schools, where children of all denominations should stand upon a common platform—receiving secular instruc tion, and leaving so-called—because it is only so-called—religious instruction to their parents and their respective clergy. Re ligious instruction, as so many of the clergy designate it, is a misnomer. To my mind, real, solid religious instruction is contained in the tnxxks new in use in our primary schools." Mr Weston drew a marked distinction between primary State schools and private schools, such as Christ's College for in stance, to which people professing certain religious views, send their children and pay the necessary fees. He thought that instead of discouraging, say Catholics, by imparting into State schools books, sec tarian matter, we should leave the books free from debatable material, yet have them of a high moral character. THE OPINION OF A PROMINENT SCHOOLMASTER. As a teacher of wide knowledge and ex-' perience, Mr T. S. Foster, M.A., head master of the West Christchurch school, was seen by our representative. Naturally enough, Mr Foster did not oare to commit himself unduly, and v.hile not doing so. gave a few personal opinions of a practical nature -which, though appearing last, are by ho means of least importance. Speaking as a parent, he considered it desirable that ibis own children should re ceive scriptural instruction in school. He pointed out, however, that .oil the influ ence*, of school life at present, and the in strnction imparted, were for good, though, personally, he thought scriptural instruction would be of further assistance in this direc tion. Of course, whatever was decided by the authorities would be duly carried into effect, and he believed that if scriptural instruc tion was introduueed it would be done thoroughly. But he thought it. should be given i>y the staffs of the schools, for out side teachers would be at a great disad vantage. 