PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 996, 4 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Night's Proceedings. Education Bill—Second Reading Carried. Sir George Grey thought that Education, and Charitablejinstitutions'should hare been included in one measure. The Bill was a wicked proposal to introduce religious dissensions, and set class- against class. It would make the poor pay for educating the rich. He objected to reduce everything to a dead level. He opposed the conscience clause as an injustice to a large section of the community. He regretted that provision for secondary education was totally neglected. The provisions regulating scholarships and reserves were unjust. State education should be absolutely free. No provision i 3 made for orphan and destitute children, except in another monstrously unjust Bill. He protested against hurrying through the Bill, which would place 80,1)00 people under a deep sense of wrong. Mr Sheehan thought denominational schools only possible in towns. He desired to see the Bill made entirely secular, instead of a miserable compromise. Mr Stout urged the duty of the State regarding secondary as well as primary education. "Ho thought the Government this year should only have brought iu a Bill

providing for inspection, and funds for carrying on existing systems. The Bill must be made purely secular. Mr Pox urged learning from American experience. He thought everyone would be benefitted by living amongst an educated and civilized community, and therefore all should pay for the education which was done through the Consolidated Kevenue. Those whose children were educated contributed in the shape of capitation. He believed the people gencrally desired that the Bible should be read in schools. It would be monstrous to make it the only book specially excluded. Those secular schools would not meet Catholic requirements. Mr Curtis's amendment was pure denominationalism. Mr Howe thought the Auckland system nearly as perfect as possible. He had never heard a complaint. The religious clauses must be excised from the Bill to make it a national measure. Mr Woolcock strongly supported the Bill as it stood. He was willing to see the religious clauses struck out in deference to the sentimental views of others. Mr O'Rorke supported Mr Curtis's amendment, as similar to the Canadian system, where it worked admirably. Messrs Lumsden, Fisher, Shrimski, and Wood (Mataura) supportcd'the omission of the religious clauses. Mr Baigent supported Mi' Curtis's amendment. Mr Bowen replied, acknowledging the temperate tone of the discussion. Government did not desire to do more than necessary at present. They desired to make the Education Board acceptable to the people, and while avoiding the evils of local representation they were willing to accept any better method of doing this. He believed the funds provided would prove ample, as buildings, inspection, scholarships, and normal schools, would be otherwise provided for. £IOO,OOO for buildings would be divided in proportion to the deficiency between the existing accommodation and the number of children requiring it in each district. He did not think clause 85 would interfere with the liberty of conscience of any one. He objected to the bigotry of secularism. He did not think any practical difficulty would arise under the [Bill Mr Curtis's amendment was incompatible with the principle of the Bill, and could not be adopted. No capitation would be levied on children receiving sound education outside of State schools. The second reading was carried by 41 to 6. The Census, 'Friendly Societies, and Industrial Societies Bills were read a second time. The House rose at 12.10 a.m.