The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3675, 25 April 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1883.

Mr Thomas Tanner has addressed a circular to tho chairmen of the District School Committees, a copy of Avhieh avc append iv order that it may explain itself:—" Sir,— Having been nominated for the vacant seat on the Education Board I shall, if/elected, give my time and best attention to the successful Avorking of the present system of education, as I haA-e done in the past. Your Committc is iiAvaro that the Education Board can only administer the law as it is, and has nothing to do Avith the question of reading the Bible in schools, therefore the individual opinions of any member of the Board on this point cannot be called in question. I am, kc, Tiros. Tanner." Our readers are aAvarc that there are two candidates in the field, namely, Mr Tanner, Avho has openly declared himself to be in faA-or of religion being- taught in the public schools,- and Mr D. Guy, who is a strong supporter of the existing system of education. Mr Tanner cannot but be aware that the opinions he has expressed on the general subject of secular education are not shared in by the public at large, and it is eAudent that the above circular has been Avritten consequently with a vlcav to lessen the opposition he is sure to meet Avith". Mr Tanner may reply that the course taken by the Bible in Schools Associations to ascertain public opinion shoAved, in very many districts throughout the colony, that simajority of parents expressed their approval of the Bible being read in schools. It rvill be remembered that in a large number of districts in both Islands the Associations sent round papers to every householder having children at the public schools. These papers Avere to be filled in with "yes" or "no," and so express approval or disapproval of Bible reading in school hours. From the returns thus obtained it Avould certainly appear that a decided majority in the large centres ot population Avas in accord Avith the Bible Associations. AVhen, hoAvever, the district schools elections vrere held the results seemed to falsify the returns. So far as this educational district is concerned Aye have little hesitation in saying that, with scarcely an exception, every _ Committee elected was in favor of the existing system. But it may be urged, and with very much force, that the School Committees are not representative bodies. In the more populous districts very little public interest is taken in the elections; and in the manner of their conduct there is not much chance of public opinion expressing itself if it Avere desired that it should do so. AYe are persuaded that, as a rule, the School Committees aro not and never can be until the mode of election is materially altered. But because ai-c hold this opinion avc do not mean to assert that the returns obtained by the Bible in Schools Associations can be relied upon. It is so much easier to saA- " yea " "to please the parson" than to say "no," that many people would tftke tho pleasanter course, more especially as they kncAv that whatever answer they might give the Educatjga Act

was not likely to be altered. Again, it is more than probable that the mothers of families filled in the papers «in the absence of their husbands at Avork. We think, therefore, that as an index of public opinion no reliance can be placed on the returns obtamed by the Associations. The best test of public opinion on this question has already been taken, and that was at the last general elections for the House of Represeiitatives. A Bible in Schools candidate Avoidd have stood no chance of being sent to Parliament, and Aye are very much mistaken if this Avill be altered at the next elections. Returning to Mr Tanner's circular ; Avhat does it mean ? Is it an attempt to draw a red-herring across the scent, or does it signify that Mr Tanner is willing "to run with the hare and cry with the hounds" until such time arrives when it will be convenient to take up more decided ground ? Put into other language, the circular states, "you know my opinions; I am dead against secular education; but as the Board can only administer the Act, I can do no harm if you elect me." It may, IiOAVCA'er, bo as well to remember that if a majority of Boards had in their members majorities holding similar A'icws to those entertained by Mr Tanner very great pressure could be brought tn bear on Parliament to get the Act altered. It is this to which the School Committees must have regard if they AA-ish to preserve the Act as it at present exists.