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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2576, 23 June 1881, Page 2

The Ministry sustained a defeat in the House yesterday afternoon on a motion by Mr Andrews, the junior member for Christchurch, that representatives of the public Press be admitted to enquiries into the conduct of civil servants on charges which render them liable to fine or dismissal. The Government, of course, resisted the motion. Such a resolution was entirely opposed to the traditions of the Civil Service, and would materially curtail the power of the Under-Secre-taries and the highly-paid officials, who have been virtually the rulers of the country. For our own part, we are glad that protection is to be afforded to that numerous and ill-paid class who fill the subordinate public offices of the colony. Secret tribunals are against the spirit of the age. Hitherto, civil servants have virtually been condemned unheard. In nine cases out of ten the judges have been their accusers. Open inquiry will in no Avay deteriorate the character of the Service. Borough and County Councils and Road Boards are as efficiently and as faithfully served as the General Government, and the former seldom observe any reticence in charges against their officials. The fullest and freeest enquiry is granted. Where such is not the case there is always a suspicion of jobbery. There are too many family arrangements in the Civil Service of this colony. Favoritism is rampant. We suppose if the Ministry feels itself sufficiently strong it will ignore the resolution of the House. A great deal of influence from behind the scenes will be brought to bear on the Hall Government, and that influence will be the more potential because the course urged will be in accordance with the views of Ministers and their Tory adheients.

Tine Bible-in-schools party hare com raenced operations in earnest, and circulars have been forwarded to the parents of children attending public schools, asking them to say “ Yes ” or “ No” on the question of a portion of the Scriptures being read daily in .schools. The children of objecting parents can retire whoa the religious lessons arc being given. The black sheep can clear out. The advocates of Bible reading in schools seem to have little idea of the influence this will have upon the minds of the children. That child’s father is an “Atheist, a Jew, or a Papist ” we are afraid will be the prevailing impression in the minds of those who are allowed to remain. Docs anyone for one moment expect that children will be capable of making nice discriminations ? What is the use of preaching about brotherly love and concord if children are taught to despise each oilier ? Anyone with a knowledge of human nature must feel that this will bo the result of this most evil religious distinction amongst- the young. Youthful impressions last longest. A person rarely becomes a bigot after lie reaches the age of manhood. Religions intolerance baa been one of the greatest curses inflicted on humanity. It is now sought to make the Slate schools a training ground for sectarian hatred. This is a mixed community of various races and creeds, and every effort should bo made to weld a nation free from the prejudicies which disgrace the old countries of the world. It will he on evil day when means are adopted to perpetuate those prejudices in New Zealand. The Bible in Schools party are taking the most dfoctivmeans of destroying'the true spirit of Chri.-tiani;y. We would remind (he parents that at the ballot-box, an overwhelming majority baa pronounced ii favor of toe present system of education, it is secular in principE, and if the ivlncation Act is to remain in force, tins.muiar principle must be maintained. Tlr- subject is as much political as idi-gi-mis. Those who write “ Yea ” in the circular will be playing into the hands)

of the enemies of the Education Act,the best and most complete measure yet passed by the Parliament of New Zealand.