“RIGHT THIS WRONG”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 887, 3 February 1930, Page 14

“RIGHT THIS WRONG”

BISHOP LISTON DEMANDS FAIR PLAY EDUCATION AND RELIGION Special to THE SUN TE AROHA, Today. New Zealand's system of education was adversely criticised by Bishop Liston when opening the new Roman Catholic school at Te Aroha yesterday. Dr. Liston said one section of educational thought considered religion should bo kept to the home and the church, and the other that it should be amplified in the schools. The first section was given official support and the other was left in the cold. “New Zealand Roman Catholics in self-respect cannot be expected to reconcile themselves to such treatment,” said the bishop. “They look forward to the day when their fairminded fellow-citizens will deal with this question in a just, and broad way. and both schools of thought will peacefully mature and complete a national system of education.”

Referring to the fact that the parishioners of Te Aroha had bought a motor-bus at a cost of £650, in order to allow the children or outlying districts to receive a religious education, Dr. Liston said children were being carried by bus to State schools at the cost of the Education Department. He asked, “Why are children whoso parents wish them to go to a Roman Catholic school excluded from that right? Those parents are taxpayers. We feel sure the Minister of Education can make a more equitable arrangement.” “I fail to see.” said the bishop. ‘ how the principles of religious liberty can justify us in putting Roman Catholic schools in this country in an inferior position to others. A onesided religious education is unfair. A secular system of education will be disastrous to any country that adopts it, and the only fair basis for the organisation of education is that children shall be taught, as far as possible, in accordance with the religious beliefs of their parents. If the Government would have the courage to make these the fundamental basis of its educational system there would ultimately come peace and unity into the troubled world of education.” “I publicly take this opportunity,” concluded Hr. Liston, “of asking the Minister of Education to right this wrong. That is the only word for it.” Archdeacon Holbrook said: “We look forward to the day when a statesman, not a politician, shall arise and right this injustice. Such treatment of Roman Catholics under Xew Zealand’s system of education is not fair, not Christian anfl not British.”