Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, SEPT. 12.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 96, 12 September 1871, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, SEPT. 12.

One of tbs most important measures the Assembly has to legislate upon this session is the new Education Bill, and considerable discussion has already taken place, in the House as to its merits and demerits. It is a question of the very gravest importance to the whole Colony, and that our representatives in the Assembly fully recognise this is evinced by the great interest which its advent in the House has excited Wo have not as yet carefully studied the Bill, and therefore do not purpose to enter into a detailed criticism of its good and had points ; but we may be permitted to offer a few remarks on one or two of the salient features of the measure—features which, in our opinion, will mar its usefulness, if carried out as it is proposed they should be. The result of a Bill such as the one we are discussing becoming law, would be the establishing of a denominational system of Education ; and if we mistake not, a very latge. majority of the population of the Colony are opposed to a denominational as against, a secular Educational training—in Otago, at any rate, such is the case. We do not say that the Hill is brought forward as advocating do* nominationaliain, but that such would be its result is apparent. The clause it contains providing for the establishment of “ Aided Schools,” which we decidedly object to, would go a very long way towards this end. It is as follows :—“ It shall be lawful for the Board of any Province at its discretion to grant any sum or sums in aid of the efforts of private individuals or associations for the maintenance of schools within school districts within such province, and such schools are hereinafter referred to as ‘ Aided Schools’ ; provided every school so aided he a public school within the meaning of the Act,” We consider that this clause, and others having ; reference to it, should bo eliminated; for j although in the latter part of the clause it is provided that the schools so aided shall bo “public schools,” yet it is obvious that advantage will be taken of the aid pro- | posed to he granted, by religious sects who j are dissatisfied with the public schools at present iu existence. It would afford them the means of starting schools After their own particular fancy, and the whole educational system of the colony would he so revolutionised, and become so gigantic and 1 expensive, that before long very material

alteration would have to be resorted to, causing endless expense and annoyance. So far. as our own Province ia concerned, tbe cost of its "establishments is already very large; and to saddle us with a heavy extra expense when the present system gives such general satisfaction, is both unnecessary and undesirable. It is further provided by the Bill “that religious observances or instructions in religious subjects shall be at the end or, beginning of any meeting of the school and in another portion of the clause whicli contains tbe last quotation, we find that “ the school shall be open at all times to the inspection of a Government Inspectoi of Schools ; so, however, that it shall be no. part of his duties to enquire into any instruction in religious subjects given at. such school, or to examine any scholai therein in religious knowledge, or in any religion# subject or book," This 1 , again, has an obvious tendency t6 promote de nominatiohalisTh. It is conbeding a point to a religious body which has lately made itself very conspicuous, through its spiritual supervisor in this Province, in the. strong opposition it has manifested to our. present excellent and liberal educational facilities. No doubt the Education question is a most difficult one to deal with, but when very fair result# have been arrived at after a system having been subjected to a trial for several years, it does seem to us very impolitic to endeavour to introduce such sweeping innovations as are proposed by the Education Bill of 1871. We earnestly trust that it will not pass tbe House in its present form; and that honourable members will carefully study and introduce into its clauses the many amendments which the Bill requires before it will be satisfactory to the large majority of the population of-the Colony.