REFLECTIONS ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1336, 12 January 1881, Page 2

REFLECTIONS ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

The following reflections on compulsory education, by "William Smuggins, larrikin," appear in the Auckland Observer, the "society" journal of the colony:— Compuls'ry eddication! why! 'eres a rummy go ! And they'll run us in with hobbles ! golly! not for Joe ! Why, ain't we British subjecks ? ain't this country free ? Don't the bleeding Constitootion perfect our liberty ? Wot's the good of eddication, readin', writin', and that ? Will it fill a heuvpty belly 1 make a 'un«ry' fellarfaU ■ And if yer eddicate us in that 'ere swel-i lish way, Who's a go in' to sile 'is fingers for five bob a day ? There's a kind of eddication, that I've no objection to— That's a easy Gov'ment billet with a werry 'andsome screw. And I'd like to get a lesson how them sal'ries is draw'd By Bice, and them 'ere swell coves on the' Eddication Board. If yer can teach Bill Smuggiris to perform that little feat, Yer needn't send a bobby for to nab 'im in the street. But that 'ere eddication what don't fill a covey's belly— Why, I'd rather buy a pistule, and go and be a Kelly. If yer 'ot on eddication, and yer want to do it thorough, Go aud eddicate them coveys you've elected for the borough. Send a bobby round to nab 'em, and lug 'em to the station, And give them blokes a trifle of compulsory eddication.