The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3342, 5 November 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1873.

Mr Fish’s resolutions advocating the abolition of the High School contain several propositions that appeared to meet with the unqualified approbation of the meeting ho addressed. We know Mr Fish to be sincere in his opinions on the matter, and that in his observations, although apparently he exactly hit the taste of his auditors, he was not led to make them merely through a desire after popularity. Yet, it cannot be denied that his second and sixth resolutions would fairly bear the imputation of being an appeal to class prejudice, as will be plain on their perusal: — 2. That it {the High School) is, and must necessarily bo, a class institution. 6. That it Is unfair to the people as a whole that they should be heavily taxed for the benefit of a class. Although muck was said in support of both resolutions, we consider the arguments were based altogether upon a misconception. Strictly speaking, them is no such institution as ciasfi in Hew .Zealand. We cannot even make the social distinction of rich and poor. We may perhaps classify those engaged in mechanical pursuits, or who are retail tradesmen, merchants, or professional men, such as lawyers,oraccountantsin banks and mercantile establishments; but who shall define the rich amongst them, and separate them from the poor ’(■ if it were possible for some As.uodeus to; expose each man’s private ledger to public gaze, and thus to show the pinching, and screwing, and weariness of poverty of the majority of the genteel section, compared with the abundant plenty of those who do not feci bound to keep up appearances, wc fancy, could life be begun again, and women ( be taught to value what is substantial' rather than outside glitter, many men would be glad to put on the serge shirt

nnd moleskin trousers, and toil with their hands for their daily bread. If Mr Fish meant by a “ class,” therefore, those who occupy what is usually termed “ a genteel position,” we know of no section in a community requiring sympathy more than they. Amongst them the prizes are few; the incomes small in proportion to the expenses they arc expected to incur; their position precarious because of the numbers fitted for the work they have to do in proportion to the demand ; and, even should they at last succeed in achieving fortune, it is often after years of wearing mental toil and heartaching anxiety. On the other hand, if they fail—as from the nature of the case the majority must —they become dependent upon more fortunate friends, or sink silently into poverty, aggravated in its bitterness by the recollection of blighted hope and loss of social position. ]f any section of thcc ommunity needs help it is this. Mr Fish affirmed that the rich mainly availed themselves ot the advantages offered by the High School, and that they could afford to pay for the higher education; and he further infers, on what ground we cannot say, that they only take •advarxtrtge of it. Were this true, we should not agree with him that the school should be abolished ; but it is not the case. Precisely the class we have described have found the advantage of it-the honest, striving, ill-paid professional class, who, with smaller means than many artizans, deprive themselves of luxuries and even comfort that their children may be blessed with such an education as to fit them for playing their part well in the battle of life. That the children of the rich—of the squatter and farmer —have been taught there, we are glad to say ; hut so have, and so are the children of the poor. The fee is made so as to place the education given there within the reach of all, and we are glad to know that all classes have availed themselves of the opportunity. Mr Fish’s sixth resolution cuts two ways. If it he unfair to tax the community for the benefit of the rich—for we suppose, by the people as opposed to a class, he intends that to be in-ferred--it is equally unfair to tax the rich as a class for the benefit of the community. This is the evident logical inference to be drawn from the proposition. Nowq in view of Mr Fish’s notion of this unfairness, how would he act in such a case? Is lie prepared to say “ the class,” who, to say the least, are pretty heavily—though we grant not sufficiently fairly, taxed—shall receive no benefit from the taxes which they pay ? That they are to bear a heavy proportion of the cost of educating the community, and iu addition not have the opportunity of educating their own children ; but be very much more heavily taxed through having to pay a much higher rate for that at private schools or at home ? Is a man to bo fleeced by the community just because he is reputed rich ? Yet it amounts to that. We, the community, will have schools towards which you as a member should pay the cost: we will have Grammar Schools, at which an education shall be given equal to that provided at the High School, and our children shall there be prepared for the University, if they are equal to it; but you we believe to be rich : you wear superfine Mosgiel tweed every day, and gloves on your hands, and meet with the genteel of the land that patronise concerts, and are invited to dinner parties and private balls, and dress your sons and daughters well. Government schools were instituted for us—the community—not for you ; pay the cost of the education of your own family; we will take your money, but you shall have none of our education. Such, in effect, is the tenor of Mr Fish's sixth resolution. It is plausible, but unsound. We look upon the High School as necessary ; that the moderate fees afford means for the children of all ranks to share in its advantages; that the result of general diffusion of high class education will in the course of a generation or two break down the barriers that old world institutions have built between class and class ; and that in the end the constructive artist, no u attcr how hard and dark his hands may be, will be regarded, as he ought to be, as superior to the trifling dawdler, seeking pleasure and distinction by aping an effete aristocracy.