CONCESSIONS TO SECTARIAN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3041, 30 March 1917, Page 6

CONCESSIONS TO SECTARIAN SCHOOLS

MINISTER AND THE'NAIJONAL ■"- SYSTEM. By Telegraph—Press A6Bociation. Auokland, Mar.th 2 ( J. A-deputation of about -sixty, including prominent educationists and ministers of religion, waited on the Eon. J. A. Hanan this evening for rho purpose of expressing appreciation of his attitudo in refusing concessions to sectarian schools. Replying, tho Minister said hoiliad been in the House about 18 years, and had always pledged himself to uphold the present system. In replying to requests since the war for concessions for sectarian schools, lie had stated that he believed they would result in the undermining and disintegration of the present system. He would have been false to liis pledges had lie acceded to' the requests. He deemed a' certain principle essential to the maintenance and stability of the national system, and considered it his duty to always maintain those principles." Thousands of men and women in tho Dominion, owed a great deal to the State system of education,,and they were". not now going to alter it so as to deny similar benefits to' those who followed. He was convinced tho' representations of the deputation stood for the great body of public opinion throughout the 'Dominion. Ho thought no Minister of Education and no Government having regard to the principle, of national education and the interests at stako daro depart from them and allow concessions that would ultimately lay the national system in ruins.