CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 10, 12 January 1871, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*** We are desirous of affording every reasonable facility for the discussion of public subjects; but it must be understood that we are in no way responsible for thc opinions expressed by correspondents.

better results are obtained elsewhere, and agree with me that compulsion is the only plan to remedy the evil. We also find that matters are no better in other proces. Tn Otago, for instauce, out of 10,350 children, 5000 do not attend school, and in the whole colony about 25,000 are growing up without auy education. What then will be the result in the course of 10 or 20 years time from such an abundant first sowing of the seeds of ignorance? On looking through the debates of the last sitting of Parliament on this subject, it does not appear that the Government proposers any curative measure. The Premier says : — " It was much better wherever the population was dense to throw the people upon their own resources for the means of primary education, aud to provide by law for levying the rate, to leave the people in their interest to see their children educated, and to see the machinery of that law carried out." Mr. Vogel on the same subject; — "The Government propose to give the provinces, a capitation allowance of £2. The provinces had also a large taxing power if they desired to exercise it. It would be the fault of the provinces if they did not carry out the functions that belonged to them, as they would start upon a basis which would enable them to discbarge their duties if they desired to do so." This particularly refers to the North Island. He again remarks, "He was exceedingly averse to seeing the colony assume the functions which should be exercised by the provinces." Notwithstanding the knowledge they have that in the Otago province alone there are 5000 children growing up in utter ignorance, they call the system perfect, and say that it had better not be interfered with. I trust that at the next meeting of Parliament our legislature will boldly face the evil, aDd that the parents for whom so much has been done, both by direct and indirect taxation, will at least second the efforts put forth on their account. This doue, the progress of the evil will be checked if not altogether swept away. I am, &c, C. H. Martin. Wakapuaka, January 6th, 1871.