RELIGIOUS TRAINING IN STATE SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 809, 8 February 1910, Page 2

RELIGIOUS TRAINING IN STATE SCHOOLS.

The criticism by Cardinal Moran of the religious instruction imparted in the State Schools of New South Wales, and the caustic rejoinder by the Minister of Education published elsewhere in this issue, supplies food for thought for those who are anxious to introduce religious instruction into the State Schools of this Dominion. We are not troubled about Cardinal Moran’s attack or the Minister’s defence of the system. The trouble commences when the Slate is asked to take pp the duties of the Church. So sure as the State becomes the parson so sure will the people be stirred up with sectarian bitterness. Was there peace when Romanism dominated the State ? Is there peace in England to-day between the so-called State Church party and Non-conformists? Not a bit of it. The Ne\v South Wales wrangle has its lesson for New Zealand. Let us jealously guard our State secular system of education. If it doesn’t suit any particular sect, let them establish schools to their own liking—and at their own expense. Every facility is given to the clergy of all demoninations to use the school buildings for religious instruction before or after schools hours, and that’s just where the State should stop.

Messrs Lazarette and Haslett announce the arrival of a consignment of Stewart Island oysters today.

The Levin Agricultural Society’s Show takes place tomorrow, and promises to be the most successful vet held.

The poundkeeper notifies that if a brown gelding impounded from Moutoa is not claimed it will be sold on February icjth at 12 noon.

We acknowledge with thanks receipt of complimentary tickets for the Dannevirke A. and P. Association’s first annual show, to be held on Friday next, nth inst. A thanksgiving service will be held in connection with the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Procter, senr. The service will take place at their residence at 1 p.m., to-morrow (Wednesday). The Belle Crome Company played to a bumper house in the Public Hall on Saturday night. The programme was excellent and highly appreciated from start to finish.

At the Wellington Supreme Court on Saturday, Joseph Williams, charged wilh’attemptiug to murder Francis Joseph Martin (his son-in-law), was found not guilty and discharged.

The death occurred at the Beach early this morning of the infant sou (10 months) of Mr and Mrs Attwood, of Palmerston N. Mrs Attwood was spending a holiday at the seaside for the benefit of the infant’s health. The child had been weakly since birth. Messages from Sydney and Melbourne state that bottles have been picked up on the sea coast, containing clumsily scrawled messages purporting to have been written by passengers from aboard the Waratah. The police attach no credence to the messages. The Wellington Post states it is rumoured that the legal proceedings more than once referred to by the Prime Minister in connection with the Income Tax Department will probably be taken at Christchurch, and that the amount involved is represented by many thousands.

We are informed that there are a number of what are vulgarly termed “bummers” knocking about Foxton —men who are always looking for work and praying that it may not come their way. The police would be acting in the best interests ot the town in moving them on.

Amused at the antics of a Somali chiettaiu at Hageubeck’s Zoo, the Kaiser decorated him with the Universal .Badge of Honour. Her Lattman was loudly cheered by the Conservatives in the Reichstag when he characterised the Kaiser’s act as utterly out of place. A meeting of the committee of the local Horticultural Society to finally deal with the catalogue for the forthcoming autumn show, to be held on the 9th and 10th March next, was held last night. The canvassers for special prizes had met with great success, and points prizes will be awarded in each section. The catalogue will be issued next week. The local Methodist Church authorities have received word that the appointment as deaconess for twelve months of Sister Moody Ball has been approved. The sister is expected to arrive during the week and will take the first service in the local church on Sunday evening next, and an official welcome will be extended to her on Sunday next in the Shannon Church, where the sister will reside for a time. Washing day at the batch on the beach is one thing to remember. Recently a correspondent of this paper had the pleasure of witnessing seven young men hard at it, rubbing and scrubbing while the near by wire fence presented a real laundry-like appearance. The old trouble and fussing over the copper fire was, however, dispensed with, all the water for the wash was boiled by one of those wonderful little Lux stoves. Sold by Fowler and Gordon.*

A naval officer, writing from Sheerness six weeks ago to a friend in Dunedin says : —“ We are always drilling and ready for action. You should see the mighty fleet —warships are fully manned, stretching from my ship as far as the eye can reach, and every one ready to put to sea at a moment’s notice. Things cannot go on like this for long, and I am afraid all this preparation means something sinister ahead.” A very narrow escape of death by drowning of a little child, occurred recently at Ponatahi, near Carterton, reports the News, showing the great advantage of ambulance classes and first aid lessons in averting serious accidents. The little fellow slipped into a dam, over six feet deep at the edge, and was not missea by the other children in whose company he was, who were feeding ducks. When they were ready to go home they could not see the baby, and on hunting roiind, the eldest boy, Bob Jury, aged 13, saw a portjpn of the child’s dress floating in the dam. He jumped in and managed to reach it, brought the child to the bank, pushed it up, then scrambled out himself, and though terribly frightened, thinking the little gne was dead, he adopted first aid measures, and got the water from the child’s body. He sent another child for help, and then, holding the baby face downwards, started for home, meeting help on the road. It \yas nearly an hour before the child was brought round properly, and had the boy not taken such prompt measures it is quite certain that it could not have been saved.

A gold neck chain, lost between the railway station and Johnston Street is advertised for. Reward.

Eoxton was among the four warmest localities in the dominion yesterday morning, registering 75 degrees. Rain fell last night. At the Wanganui Presbytery today, the call from the Foxton charge to Mr Aitken was presented and accepted. Captain Gabiles, of the local cadets, is giving lire lads special training in view of their attendance at the Kitchener camp at the end of this month.

To-morrow is Ash Wednesday. The services in All .Saint’s Church will be : 7.30 a.m., Holy Communion ; 7.30 p.m., Evensong, short address and part of the Comminatiou service.

Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame Etd., have a replace advt. in to-day’s issue drawing attention to their large stock of white muslins, consisting of over 5000 yards. See advt. for prices. :|: A portion of Mr H. Greig’s swamp at Tokomaru was destroyed by fire on the night of Friday last. Fortunately there was no wind, or the whole of the valuable area might have been destroyed. No cause can, we understand. be assigned for the outbreak. Great care should be exercised by employees during a dry season like this, as the careless dropping of a matih might mean a serious loss to both the miller and the owner of the green leaf. For the next seven days’ sale Colliusou and Cuuninghame, Ltd., will clear all their white muslins, including hailstone spots, fancy lace stripes, brilliants, Swiss spots, and floral designs. Mr Cunniughame when at Home was tempted by the ridiculous low prices at which the manufacturers offered these muslins (owing to the very unfavourable wet summer in England), to buy about 100 pieces more than the firm really required, and rather than carry them over they are offering them during the next seven days at prices lower than these muslins are sold at in England. They are now on view marked in plain sale figures. The sale is still in full swing, and will continue till further notice.*