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Evening Star, Issue 3527, 12 June 1874, Page 2

The ‘ New Zealand i ablet’ of this week contains an article condemnatory of secular education, and lauding the denominational system, The groundwork of the argument is that no Government can afford to educate the children of the country, as the cost would be more than the whole revenue. If so, what becomes of education by denominations ? Such au argument amounts to this—that a few religious denominations must bear the expense of doing what a country cannot afford; that is, that a part of a community can bear a burden which the whole cannot sustain. Either this reductio ad absurdum must be conceded, or it must be admitted that a large section of the people must remain untaught - a result that is proved to be the natural consequence of a denominational system. The article would bear the heading “ Denominationalism Expose-,” for its transparent fallacies were never more glaringly exhibited than in parading the general ignorance policy of the Province of Auckland, in opposition to the more enlightened systems of Canterbury and Otago. The denominational system has been tried, and has failed wherever adopted. The secular or national system has never yet had a fair trial, and therefore our coutemporary is singing his pauns raiher too early when he crows about its probable failure. We should prefer the term “national” to ‘ secular,” because of the superstitions attempted to be engrafted on the latter, and the unfair imputations fixed upon its advocates, i >ur desire is that every (thild may be so trained that it may under* stand its own language, be able to distinguish right from wrong, and fulfil every social and private duty with intelligence and integrity, lb create good citizens is the object of the national system ; to create theological oigots is the tendency of the denominational. Ihe one tends to social harmony ; the other to social discord. As lor

forms of. faith, let senseless bigots fight: He can’t be wrong whose life is in the right. Experience proves that for a country to prosper, men must obey law, either voluntarily or through fear ; so that money must be expended, either to.train a population in orderly and intelligent habits, or in supporting a force, military or police, sufficient to overawe them. France and 'pain are striking examples of the effect of denominationalism, in both of which countries large armies are required to main ain order. In Pr ince the untaught ar* for i.he present subdued ;• in Spain denomina tional strife is chronic. In both countries hundreds of millions have been expended ir repressive measures in maintaining heavy armies in peace and war. Had a thousandth part been devoted to national education, the probability is they would both h»ve been amongst the most advanced nations of thi world. Of course these facts will be denied lidiculed, or di torted by our contemporan , whose heavy theological artillery is alway at hand in support of his position. For out own parts, we discard such visionary artil lery because it fires over the heads of sound reasoners, and tends, to confuse with its noise, lb is a thing altogether apart from what is really a question of social science and has no right to be mixed up with “ he lief;’ and until forms of “ faith” and “ dutj to one’s neighbor” are placed, each on its own basis, no correct conclusion can be arrived at It shou d ever be remembered that whateve religion a man is of, his duty to his neighbor his secular or national duty—remains the same.