The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 28, 1887. THE EDUCATION VOTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1621, 28 July 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 28, 1887. THE EDUCATION VOTE.

In resuming our remarks on the economics possible to be effected with regard to the Education vote, we may observe that the compulsory age for attendance has far too great a range m New Zealand. Medical writers on the subject, though by no means unanimous as to the age at which education — m the popular acceptation of the world — should be commenced, are nevertheless unanimous m deprecating the too early forcing of the mental powers. Having a strong objection to the taxpayers being called upon to provide state nurseries for children, we are of opinion that until they have attained the age of seven or at any rate have entered on their seventh year, children should not be compelled to attend school. As to the period at which compulsory attendance should cease, we would remark that what is called the charge m life

takes place earlier m the colony than it does at Home. Here children of thirteen experience all the new feelings, views, desires and ambitions that are not experienced m the Old Country until some two years later, and if compelled to attend school afer that age application ceases and education becomes irksome; We think, therefore, that the cumpsory age should be confined to these limits. If this were done a very great saving might be effected with benefit both to the children themselves and also to the taxpayers. In all large towns private and society schools, which chose to comply with the requirements with regard to furniture, accommodation appliances and Inspector's examination, might be allowed capitation for those pupils who successfully pass the Inspector's examination. This would tend, m a great measure, to solve the religious difficulty and at the same time effect large savings to the Stale,

With regard to secondary education, we share with very many the opinion that it ought not to be a burden on the State. Those who wish their children so far educated ought themselves to bear the cost. Let the High Schools be self-supporting. It is, m our opinion, the height of folly to keep on maintaining these institutions at the public expense. To let those who reap the benefits, pay for them is only fair and reasonable. We think that the High Schools should be self-supporting, and th? revenue derived from the reserves with which they are endowed appropriated to reducing the enormous cost of our primary education system. We know that there is an awful amount of sentimentality both written and spoken on the subject, but we must submit to the stern logic oi facts, and when depression stalks m at the front door it is quite time that sentiment should boat a retreat through the. back. Sentiment will keep, and we trust it will not grow mouldy before the clouds have rolled by, and the brighter days of prosperity have dawned.

In the foregoing remarks we have shown m what direction the Education vote can be reduced without at all interfering with the principles of the system. We are not surprised at the outcry about its excessive costliness. It is out of all proportion to our revenue. Half a million of money yearly expended on education is, without question, far too large a sum for a small colony like New Zealand, whose population does not much exceed that of a third or fourth-rate town at Home.