VARIOUS PROTESTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 184, 24 April 1918, Page 7

VARIOUS PROTESTS

BY PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION ' DENOMINATIONAL GRANTS

The delegates to the Protestant Politi'eal Association's Conference, at present sitting in Wellington, waited upon tho Minister of Education (tko Horn J. A. Hanan) at tho Parliamentary Buildings ' yesterday, to present their views regarding denominational grants and other mattire. The deputation was introduced by Mi. J. Dickson, M.P. The Rev. S. Howard Elliott said that 'tho deputation represented the branches of the Protestant Political Association throughout New Zealand. The association had noticed-with miioh (satisfaction Mr. Hanan'e adherence to the principles of ■ tho national system of education. The maintenance of this system.without concession of any kind to denominational or jrivato schools was one of the planks of the association's platform, and he regarded this matter as of paramount importance. The association wished to protest,against certain movements-that con. stituted a threat against tho whole education system. State scholarships had been allowed to bo, held in eeotarian sohools, and this concession was a decided Wow to the national system. It had been going on quietly since 1914, and owed its origin to the approval of a Minister of Education. An alteration of tho Education Act had given tho' Minister power that previously had been held by the education, boards, and Sir JamosAllen, then holding tho portfolio of Edu. cation, had granted scholarships•to certain denominational sohools. • This arrangement'had beeii in operatiou for over three years before the facts became inown to. the publio. Mr. Hanan said'that Sir James Allen lhad refused free places to . Roman Catholic schools.

Mr. Elliott said the deputation asked for the immediate withdrawal of the concession made in the matter of scholarships. He proceeded to protest against the subsidy that was being given to Catholic schools in Dunedin for technical education. The Department-, was helping tho Catholics in Dunedin to givo 'technical, education in their own schools. This arrangement was a blow at the solidarity of the education system. Hβ further protested against free railwaypasses .being granted , to children attending denominational schools; and against nuns being allowed free passes on the Government railways. It was a fact that the courso of amendments to tho Education Act during the last eleven years had been in tho interest of the Catholic Church. Denominational schools ought not to be supported by the State in any way. ' : . : ; Mr. Ewan Macgrcgor spoke briefly on similar linoe. The Minister, in reply, said that the systom of allowing certain scholarships to be held in denominational schools had •been initiated before he took office. The concession had not been confined to Catholic schools. Similar concessions had been made to other denominational schools. Recently he had submitted the 1 matter to Cabinet, and the decision had been that tho matter should stand over ■ until the next session of Parliament. ; Froe places in denominational schools had been asked for, but had been refused by the National Government. Ho would inquire regarding .tho grant for technical education in Dunedin Catholic schools, and tho issue of free raihvny passes 'to Catholic children and nuns. Ho was with the deputation in wishing to uphold the.national system of education. It would be a calamity if that ■ eystem wore damaged, and his best efforts would bo given to strengthen the system in every way, in order that its ■ boiients might be assured (o all children,