CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2121, 29 April 1920, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —Re matters Educational, I would like to refer to.- a subject which demands the closest scrutiny by all w*ho uphold our system of free, secular and compulsory education, against the worming in of denominationalism, which is seeking to break down our Stafo system. At the last meeting of householders moral and material support was given to certain candidates who were tlie nominees of a certain political party. No doubt it is democratic for all creeds to exercise tlie franchise to elect men to govern public and State institutions, hut 1 fail to see, Sir, what: right any sect has to take part in an election for the government of an institution which they condemn, whatever the denomination, unless they are prepared to extend the same franchise in the government of their private schools. Now, Sir, on tlie present Committee there are at least three who •were the nominees of the Labour Party, one or more nominated by a local Labour leader whoso professed faith demands his support of sectarian schools, and who sends ids children to a -sectarian school. How does this individual reconcile-his-activities with the vital Labour, plank—free, secular and eonipul-.-mry education? Further, Sir, this man made it his business to circulate a statement to the effect that ■the teaching staff would resign if certain persons were elected to the Committee, two in particular. I ask, is the Labour Thirty going to he made the tool of sectarianism."? To my mind it’s time the member-; of that Parly took a deep look into the subject, and asked those persons which side they arc on, for when the facts like the above come out it’s time they dumped those who arc only using them to gain a particular objective, to the detriment of the people and the free, secular and compulsory education of generations to follow. Let (hem look after their own a 11a irs while we of broader vision will look after ours. —Yoin’s, etc.,