THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2570, 3 July 1882, Page 3

THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Olobe. Sik, —The education question as it now itands is very annoying to some. Seme of our members are returned to Parliament under promise to their constituents to support Bible reading in our public schools. Why should they do so ? Is it to secure the block vote of one-fifth, of the electors and abuse their own consciences If there is ono gentleman in New Zsaland that carries his conscience free and unsullied it iff tho Hon. John Shoehorn. He openly defies the church or others to tamper with his conscience while ho assists in doing tho duty of tho State. It is refreshing to hear a gentleman in the House of Parliament stand up and defy both Church and State to make him anything other than an independent member of that House. He speaks with an impartiality that knows of no distinction. He cays fr.;m his place in the House —"The public sohrols as tilted are all that is n q.oirrd for the education of the youths of New Zealand. Tno schools arc free and open to all, and would be used by all were it not for coercion on the part of some of the clergy.” Our schools ns at present constituted are by some called heretical, ged’e-s, and elion. In answer to this I will say whst hca been fiaid beto-e, the teaching is secular and the the schools are open fo all, and would be accepted by tho parents if some of the clergy did not interfere. Surely there is no heresy iu the multiplication table, and no ghost of an alien creed in tho English grammar, atd no pearl to any denomination in a copy-book, fbe State has said we cannot teach dogma, but we commit ourselves to tho education of the children who are to bo tho future citizens of New Zealand. Surely this is right ? The present Education Act give the clergy of all denominations the privilege of instructing the children in Bible lore at stated times, why do they cot take advantage of it ? Iheory for denominational education is an inconsistent one, and put forward under falso pretences—put forth only to ssrvo a purpose, and that purpose is to destroy or weaken the pu v lic schools, thereby stunting the growth of the human mind which is their chief object. Sir, nine-tenths of tho parents in New Zealand, both Jew and Qectile, are in favor of free, secular, and compulsory education, and why should a few of our legislators go in direct opposition to the wishes of the majority of the people? I hope that every parent will maintain his common manhood, and place his foot on tbe neck of such usurpers, and see that his children are educated at our public schools, or at any higher grade sjhools as will fib them for the great business of this life, c-d that he will never allow Legislative or clerical intirferer.ee to be a blight to the intelligence and prosperity of his children. Yours, &3., SCRUTATOR. July 3rd, 18S2,