HOME RULE AND EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1891, 28 October 1913, Page 9

HOME RULE AND EDUCATION.

Sir, —Now that Homo Rule for Ireland seems so near perhaps wo may look forward to somo legislation according to Irish ideas, when they have their own Parliament. They may sees to put education on a more, satisfactory footing. Instead of tho present educational chaos which prevails all over the British Isles, with thoir denominational schools and council schools, their provided schools and non-provided schools, tho new Irish Parliament may ' frame a grand comprehensive schema of State education. They may determine to" have only one type of school supported and recognised by the State, though they may allow other types or school to exist, and allow children to attend them, provided that such children aro examined from time to timo to mako sure they aro properly educated. Then we may expect this Parliament to make provision for tho children in the' State schools to be trained in the faith of their fathers. To this ond roligious education will form an important part of the school curriculum. Children will bo instructed in the importance of tho Mass, tho honour duo to the Virgin Mary,. the Invocation of tho Saints;-tee.-,:'-As Ireland is .'a. do- ■ mocratic country, it is to bo,hoped that such proposals will not ,become law until n. referendum is taken on the question, but, as the Catholics form three-fourths ; of tho population, there need not bo much doubt of the result. Tho adoption of such, proposals would givo Ulster something 'to- fieht about. —I am, etc., OHAS. J. COOKE, Member of the Executive of the National Schools' Defence Association. , Kelburne, October 23, 1913.