THE EDUCATION BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5111, 10 August 1877, Page 3

THE EDUCATION BILL.

TO THE EDITOR OV THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. ' Sin, —I wish to publish in your columns some brief observations on the Education Bill which is now before Parliament. In the. event of that Bill becoming law in its present shape, what will, be the condition of Catholics? Besides the unfair treatment of Catholic schoolmasters, who will be effectually excluded by the Bible clause from the publicschools, Catholics as a body will be debarred, by strictly conscientious motives, from availing themselves of the education given in the State schools., On the one hand, they will be obliged to support their own schools, in which alone the religion, of their children will be safe; and, on the other hand, they will be compelled indirectly, as contributors to the public funds, to support the State system which their conscience rejects. This will be a great grievance. Now, what necessity is there for the infliction of such a grievance on a large portion of the community? Nothing can be more fair and moderate than their claim. They are prepared, on the one

hand, to educate in their own schools up to the same standard of secular instruction, under Government inspection,'as that of the State schools ; and, on the other-hand, they- ask as a matter of justice that the same remuneration be given for the quantity of educational-work produced in ■ their schools as shall be given in the State schools for a corresponding amount of work. And moreover they are ready to build their own schools without assistance from Government, thus largely benefiting the public purse. What valid reason l can be brought against so fair a claim from an important section of the community? In case the Bill passes, the Government may say that it is only bound to satisfy the majority of the people. This is no answer, For, the Legislature, as a, representative body, is bound to consult for the reasonable wishes of. all, when all are’to be seriously affected by the legislation. In many instances; of i course, to satisfy all would be ah impossibility ; and then the best that can be done is the most that can -be done.’ But, such is not the present case. All can be satisfied in the matter of education, and .with comparative facility. Why then, not satisfy all, and in' a wise, broad, and truly liberal manner, remove for ever the cause of heart-burning and dissension ? Again, if the Bill passes, it may perhaps be said that the great majority of the people are in favor of the secular system. Well, if such be their disposition, no one wants to interfere with them or their schools. Why not then, by supplementary legislation, give Catholics grants in aid of schools on the principle of results and numbers ? Then oil will be satisfied, and the State will be consistent, because it will be paying only for secular education. But, it is argued, if we give Catholios what they .want, others will demand a’ similar, arrangement. ; The answer is plain and obvious. Either the majority is in favor of the State system, pr.it is not. . If the majority be in favor of it, then 1 there'is ho fear of such a demand being made ; and if it be not, then the Education Bill does net reflect .the wishes of !the .community at large, and ought to be modified. We respectfully commend these considerations to all who love fairplay, ; and sincerely desire the peace and concord ■of every section of the community.—l am,.&c„. * : ; f Francis Redwood, ; : Bishop of Wellington. Wellington, August-9. ■