The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 18,1885. Radicalism and Education.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1329, 18 November 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 18,1885. Radicalism and Education.

One of the most prominent stars in the firmament of British politics at the present moment is Mr Chamberlain, a statesman of singular ability and force of character, whose recent election tour through the midland counties of England and the north-west of Scotland was one long sustained triumphant procession. Mr Chamberlain, it is perhaps unnecessary to remind our readers, is an extreme Liberal. He does not hesitate to give expression to the most advanced Radical opinions, but fortunately—for he is almost worshipped by a large section of the Radical party —he abstains from making politics a mere contention for place and power, his tone is rather conciliatory than dogmatic, and he candidly admits that many of his aspirations are not yet within the region of practical politics. The problems to be solved by the new Parliament are, says Mr Chamberlain, (1) How can we increase the material resources of the poor ? (2) How can we enlarge their opportunities of enjoyment ? No generous man will withhold his support from any legitimate measure likely to increase the material resources of the poor or to enlargetheir opportunities of enjoyment, and many of Mr Chamberlain’s proposals will receive wide-spread and cordial support. But we cannot admit that a general desire to alleviate the sufferings of the poor is the one condition necessary for the solution of the grave problems which force themselves upon the attention of British statesmen at the present juncture. From some of Mr Chamberlain’s proposals we are compelled to dissent, and, while we give him credit for a sincere desire to promote the material welfare of his fellow countrymen, we think it well that he and bis enthusiastic followers are kept in check by the more sober sec*

tionsof the Liberal party. Some remarks made by Mr Chamberlain in an address delivered at Inverness in September last are so thoroughly applicable to the education question in this colony, that we venture to quote them in extenso. Mr Chamberlain, having referred at considerable length to the Crofter question, said :

Now think what education means, what it is to the poor man. It is, in the first place, the condition without which all national progress is absolutely impossible; and, in the second place —and I am not certain that this is not as important as the other—it is a means of enjoyment of recreation, something to break the nev-er-ending monotony of toil. The development of our national sys cm has already produced results which are beyond the most sanguine expectations of those who promoted it. Crime i i this country, and juvenile crime especially, has been diminished; habits of thought and temperance have increased, and the character, and the tastes, and the pursuits of the whole people have been raised; but there are still numbers, not inconsiderable numbers of the poorest part of the population, who stand most in need of it who are practically outside the schools, or the attendance of whose children is so irregular that it is productive of no good result. ' believe that this waste in our educational system is largely due to the pressure of the fees, largely due to the exaction of their payment just at time they are least able to bear it. Remember no one proposes that parents should go scot free, that they should not pay for the education of their children, but the proprosal is that they should pay for it as an assurance extended over the whole of their lives in their contributions to rates and taxes, that they -hould not be called upon to pay a sum out of all proportion to their scant incomes just at the moment when they arc called upon to provide for the existence of their children. I know that many pare ts who are anxious for the education of their chil ren are yet induced by the pressure of necessity, when slackness ol work or illness comes upon them, to keep their cbildien from school. 1 was reading the other day the account of the proceedings at a public school board in England, from which it appeared that they had recently instituted an enquiry into t e circumstances of parents whose children were not going to s hool. A good number of illustrations were given in the report, and one or two of them struck me as si nificant. In one of them a mother and father—honest, s her, and industrious people —were found with their children at home, thrown out of work by some accidental circumstance. The offi e remonstrated with them, and begged them to send the children to school, and they told him they had not the money. He said he would be forced to summon them if they did not, and in the course of a few days two of the children presented themselves at the school, and then it was found out that the clothes of the other little ones had been

pawned to enable them to pay the fe s of the others who were ecciving education. In another case where the visiting officer called because a family of four children were being kept at home he found the family without any bread to eat, ana the breadwinner of the family was eating a cabbage-stalk as the only food he could find. Our crit cs say ail this misery and wretchedness is unnecessary—why did they not ga to the parish ? But that is the point. These men are miserable if you please, suffering if you like, but they in their native pride and ndependence, these poor martyrs to a high ideal struggli g with starvation will remain so rather than have recourse to what they think the degradation of parish relict. Under these circumstances, it is a mockery and an insult for people who have never wanted for anything, who have necessaries and, aye, luxuries at command, to add to the sufferings of these poor men by demanding from them their uttermost farthing at a time when they have not enough to live upon or to do upon, under the pr tence that they are saving them fr m degradation. I have read a great number of letters from teachers in schools throughout the country, and they have told me in many cases they have been unable to refuse to pay out of their scanty salaries the fees which parents could not provide for themselves, and without which they were not permitted to give instruction to the children. i know this also—that in every case where a free schoo has been established and the fees diminished the proport'oh of attendance has increased. _ I cannot re£t until I see this cruel and abominable tax abolished, and until every national school is free throughout the length and breadth of the land. We find no fault with the view taken by Mr Chamberlain of the education question; indeed, his view has our warmest sympathy, and we trust that in reaching after the shadows conjured up by extreme Radicalism, he will not permit the substances of political and social reform to elude his grasp.

It is stated that the Government intend to have a Maori census taken next year. Tno usual weekly meeting of the Dawn of Peace Lodge 1.0.6 T. was held in the Club room of the Oddfellows Hall on Monday, evening. There was fair attendance of mem hers and visitors, and after the ordinary routine business the officers for tie ensuing quarter were installed by Bro J Mullaney L D. of the Star of the East Lodge assisted bj Br s Parkin and Dalton. Owners are again reminded that nominations for the Ashbuiton Spring meeting close with the Secetary at Quill’s hotel not later than 9 pm. to-morrow. It might be mentioned that the course is in capital order; the running track was re-sown some time back and the favorable weather has brought on the grass splendidly. The Olnb have issued a very attractive progamme and the meeting is likely to be one of the most successful yet held.

Messrs Sharman and Stoodley, the proprietors of the International Circus* have found it necessary to postpone their visit to Ashburton from to-morrow evening to Fri ay evening next. Speaking of this circus the Christchurch Referee says We have had visits from mauy a circus, but with alt the previous stupendous shows that have performed here under canvas, the International Circus compares very favorably indeed If is not a ‘ gigantic ’ combination but it is a compact and clever one, each member going through his or her particular performance in a smart and graceful style. . . . Taking it as a whole, the International is a very good circus exhibition, and quite deserves the splendid patronage it has received during the week.”

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr Thomas Bullock, J. P., F Bey was fined 10a and costs with the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness. A first offender, for a similar offence, was fined 10s and costs with the alternative of 12 hours’ impisonment.

We have been requested by Father Chastngnon to state that the Convent Schools concert, in the Town Hall this evening, will commence at 8 o’clock punctually. The doors will be opened at 7 o’clock.

Force of habit—Care is required in the formation of habit, seeing its important bearing on character. Many characters are spoiled through inattention to the moat ordinary and simple matters Some drink tea and coffee from mere force of habit, “because it 19 usual to do so,” regardless of the penalty oftentimes of nervousness and indigestion. Cadbury's Cocoa Essence contains the refreshing properties of tea and coffee, with additional advantages over those beverages, whilst it produces none of their injurious effects.

“ German Syrup.”—No other medicine n he world was ever given such a test of iterative qualities as Boscbee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thous 3iud small bottles of this medicine were distributed jree of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs. Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The result has been that Druggists in every town nd vllage in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggist and ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size js. 6d, Three mmwU wlirw wy caw,—l Am,7

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashton Sohool Committee was held on Wednesday evening. Present Messrs G Gilmour (chairman), T. Taylor, J. Croy, and W. Croy.—Aqumti'y of unimportant oonespondenoe was read and dealt with. —Tho Master reported for the month: Nnmoer on roll, 64 ; average attendance, 39; highest attendance, 46 —The irregular attendance of one child was again repotted. The parent had been advised of the Committee's intention to give effect to the compulsory clauses of the Act, but he had replied in very anct urieous language, questioning the right of the Committee to interfere with the education of his children. It was resolved to take proceedings against the offender. —A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J. Croy for work done gratuitously on the sohool ground. It was resolved to open a subscription list in aid of the sohool prize fund, and the Committee adjourned The Orient Company have written to deny a statement that appeared in a letter in the Lyttelton Times to the effect that they are prepared to carry frozen mutton at three farthings per lb, and everthing realised over 4i per lb to be divided amongst the shippers The Australian Man ger states that the Company’s lowest contract price is lsd per lb from Australia to Loudon. A number of advertisements from the Borough Council, appearing in this issue, require the attention of contractors and others

Nominations to fill the vacancy in the Ashbarton Borough Council, occasioned by the resignation of Mr Joshua Tucker, mast be made to tne Returning Officer, Mr Charles Braddell, by noon on Thursday, November 26. Purify th-i blood, cleanse the stomach, and sweeten the breath with Hop Bitter. American Co,’s only genuine. Motice

Hollowavs Ointment and Pills. — Notable Facts.—lntense heat augments the annoyances of skin disease and encourages the development of febrile disorders; therefore they should, as they can, be remove by these detergent and purifying preparations. In stomach complaints, iiveraffections, pains, and spasms of the bowels, Holloway’s ungent well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest ease, prevents congestion and inflammation, checks the threatening diarrhoea and averts incipient chohra. The poorer inhabitants in large cities will find these remedies to be their best friends when any pestilence rages, or when from unknown causes eruptions, boils, abscesses or ulcerations point out the presence of taints or impurities within the system, and call for instant and effective curative medicines. — (Advtl