DR. WALLIS AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1598, 3 April 1879, Page 3

DR. WALLIS AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

[By Telegraph.] Auckland, April 2. A deputation consisting of twenty electors of City West, representing several school committees, interviewed Dr. Wallis, M.H.E., today. Mr Firth, as spokesman, said City West did not desire to make their representatives mere delegates, but as the opinion of the majority of electors was strongly expressed in favor of the existing education system in Mr Goldie’s election, the constituency desired to guard against being stultified in part. Dr. Wallis, in reply, regretted that a copy of the que tion had not been submitted, but admitted it had been shown him in the street. Ho said that he had been a consistent supporter of the existing system, and pressed the Grey Government to pass the Bill of the late Government, when a disposition was shown to drop it. He would refrain from opposing the existing system, though he thought Mr Curtis’s Bill bad been misunderstood. He agreed with some principles of that Bill, but disapproved of others. He then read a written statement to the effect that he did not think the State was justified in excluding the Bible from schools, and would vote and speak against such exclusion. He was of opinion that a section of the people had a grievance in being compelled to pay directly or indirectly for free education in schools, to which they could not send their children. He thought the system should be enlarged, so as not to exclude children of any denomination. A representative in Parliament was not a more delegate compelled to adopt the latest fashion or propensity of a majority of his constituents. He approved of Mr Curtis’s Bill so far as endeavoring to remove the State monopoly of education. He would endeavor to reform und liberalise the present system. In answer to several questions, Dr. Wallis pledged himself not to oppose the existing system or any system not under the auspices of the Board of Education. Mr Firth, on behalf of the people, expressed satisfaction. Dr. Wallis then challenged the Good Templars to publish his answers to circulars sent him on his election with reference to the Permissive Bill.