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LARRIKINISM AND ITS REMEDY.

[to this editor.] Sir, —I observe, by your issue of the 29th ult., that Mr Duval has positively ventured into print again upon “larri kinism and it remedy," and in reference to Bible-reading in schools. I fail to see the reply to my recent query, perhaps it may be attributed to the torpidity of my intellect, if so it is a misfortune and not a fault. Mr Duval states that “larrikinsim " is quite unknown at Home, and that it is quite a modern and colonial evil. It is just possible that as “ larrikinism ” it is quite unknown, but as garroting, nocturnal depredations, murders by juven iles &e., it is perhaps better known, and understood. Take a case of recent occurrence in the very heart of London, and in broad daylight, the biutal assault upon a procession of male and female revivalists by , a gang of juvenile and adult roughs, which, doubtless is only I one of many cases we do not hear of. Then again there are College graduates , and undergraduates who are supposed to receive a religious as well as a secular. training, among whom “larrikinism” may not bo known, but can anyone deny that they, in’ their “ frolicsome’ moods constitute quite as great & social evil at home, as larrikins do in the colonies? I may perhaps be pardoned for asking Mr Duval, whether he ad vocotes the Bible reading in schools ? We do not require to leave Great Britain in order to find “ larrikinism rampant.” Look at the present state of Ireland, a country whose inhabitants have for many years (so I am led to believe) received a religious, as well as a secular education, and what is the state of the country to-day.. Does the colonial larrikin, who may possibly have only received a seculiar, training and “ Godless education” so far outstep his nature as to become an accomplice and associate of midnight-maimers, armed intimidaters,- qr skulking assassins? Mr Duvals own admission is that “ religious instruction is still imparted ..in the bulk of the schools in the United Kingdom.” “Argus" has hoard of schoolboys of 14 or 15, committing suicide over love affairs with " fellow school girls.” and has also heard of well educatcd home youths who have deliberately murdered their fathers* mothers, and office.ussociatesjof clergymen’s,sons who have become spendthrifts, and something worse. Mr Duval docs not prove that those 69 United States suicides were ignorant of the existence of a Supreme Being, or that their religions training had been neglected. He merely makes a suggestion ; in connection therewith. It must not bo overlooked that Solomon, with all his wisdom, was not altogether exemplary in his conduct. Mr Duval states that !“ We must trace and . attribute • our European, or modern civilization; to religious and Christian influence.” Is this so? What did religion do in the time of the Spanish Inquisition, the Huguenots, Henry the Eighth, or' later, the Mormons at Mountaim Meadow? And what is it now doing in Eastern, Europe? If religious and Christian influence is able to civilize us, and presumably cause us to discharge pur moral, civil, and religious duties as we should, where is the necessity for establishing, and maintaining Police forces, and standing armies,, for the purpose of asserting temporal rights, and enforcing law and order ? f merely wish to suggest (hat . religion is not .an ' effective civilizing agent, and' perhaps only efficacious when combined, with physical force. Mr Duval, towards the conclusion of his letter, “ refers me to the United. Kingdom, or to any other country, where the baneful and Godless system of education is pot fully and solely received or in force." Mrj Duval continues, “in such towns or countries, amongst many other possible social evils, that of larrikinism is utterly unkown,” (or overlooked he might say). In my opinion it is only unknown because it is not yet placed under its proper heading in the criminal code.. Ido not for one moment wish it to be understood that I am opposed to religious instruction being imparted to our rising generation. By no means. I hold that it is absolutely necessary, but let it be done in the proper place—the Church, or at home—so that those to whom scriptural precepts and principles should be taught may be duly and fully impressed with the nature of what they are learning, but to attempt daily religious instruction, in addition to a necessary secular education, is, in my opinion not only a .severe strain upon f he young and undeveloped mental faculties, but au injudicious propagation of Bible truths among juvenile susceptibles. Larrikinism is a social evil .arising from a corrupt state of a portion of society, and an evil which I feel convinced the law of the land is just as competent to deal with, as it is with all other officers against the ordinances of the realm. The Christchurch Bench have, I notice, recently awoke to a sense of their responsibilities in this respect, and Lave expressed their determination to stamp the evil out. It is only perfectly reasonable to suppose that it was never intended the Bible should usurp the functions of the law. In reference to Mr Duval’s challenge with which his letter concludes, I have only to reply that taking the word “ Rampant,” in its literal rendering, there is no necessity to go beyond New Zealand for the purpose of proving that larrikinism is not yet beyond control. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, as centres of the secular system of education, aro establishing the fact that the law is quite able to cupo with this regrettable social evih Yours, &0., Argus.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18820331.2.10.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2814, 31 March 1882, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
937

LARRIKINISM AND ITS REMEDY. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2814, 31 March 1882, Page 2

LARRIKINISM AND ITS REMEDY. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2814, 31 March 1882, Page 2

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