RAILWAY PASSES.

Evening Star, Issue 4121, 12 May 1876, Page 3

RAILWAY PASSES.

To the Editor,

Sir,—l notice a petition has been presented from residents in Port Chalmers to the Superintendent praying for free passes by the railway to the pupils attending the Roman Catholic Nuns, and Christian Brothers, schools in Dunedin. The presenters of said petition know that a religion cannot be taught by the Government of a free country, that all Governments in them are bound to supply schools and teachers and see that all their children receive thereby a sound secular education- i e., over and above the knowledge of reading and writing they are taught by example, precept,- and practice to venerate their parents and the aged, respect their teachers and superiors, a love of truth and their country, to" know themselves and see with their own minds, to be industrious and eco-

nomical both with their time and money, to'oear with each other's infirmities and do unto others as they would others should do unto them, leaving it to their guardians to initiate them in their religious duties. If the. petitioners' prayer is granted, like privileges must be granted to Mahomedans, Mormons, Jews, Christtan Jews, Russians, Swedes, Congregationalists, Baptists, Plymouth Brethren, the Free Kirk, the Church of Scotland, Church of England, the Catholics, the Old Catholics, and to every sect in the Colony, not only to and from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, but to and from, per rail, every town or place in the Colony where railways are. When that is done there will crop up new causes, or a revival of old, to disturb the country. Then farewell to the peaceful moral training now given, and in its place we shall have anarchy, defiance, and hatred.—l am, Ac, Bransttan. Tokomairiro, May 11.