The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1890. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2081, 5 August 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1890. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

The advocates of religious education are buckling on their armour in preparation for the coming election. In Wellington the Church of England people are becoming very active, and have decided to endeavor to get the Legislature to pass Mr Pyke's Private Schools Bill. This Bill provides that every private school conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Edueatioa Act, "in respect of the qualification of teachers, the course of instruction, attendance at sphool, and inspection by an inspector of the ' board, shall be entitled to receive a capitation allowance equal to a certain amoußt, provided it has a certain average attendance." The amount to be granted, and the number that must attend, are to be filled in by Parliament. So far as we can see this woisjld do very little good to Catholics. la mosfc instances Catholic schools are conducted by nuw, and it isim probable they wouH submit to be examined for a teacher's cerate, and without the necessary they would not be entitled to the capitauQn grant. But, putting that aside, it appears.that

otherwise the measure is very reasonable. The great objection to it is that it will destroy the present system of education. We cannot agree with

this view. On the contrary, we believe it would be the saving oi the

present education system. One thing the people may make up their minds for, and that is, that if the Atkinsoman party become too strong in Parliament they would destr.oy the present system. lz 1879, when the Atjynsonians succeeded Si' George Grey inpwflr, they wanted to reu uce tne cost of education, and would have* .done ifc onl y that some of their supporters forced them to give up this idea. Tkfe WW the | memorable compact with the " Auckland Eats." Four Auckland members refused to follow the Hall-Atkinson ! Ministry until they signed an agreement that they would not touch Education and it was sasred. Now every one must admit that the position < was critical when Ministers' promises would not be taken, unless these promises were made in writing, and if such was their desire to cut down education expenditure eleven years ago it can be easily inferred that they are far more anxious to do so now when the mania for retrenchment is on them. Mr Bryce is likely to fee the next Premier, and he has said in one

of his recent speeches that he would cut down education to the 4th standard. It is also said that the reason the Government proposed to erect school buildings by means of the primage duty was to make education unpopular. They thought that the primage duty was oo unpopular that when the people came to realise that it was put on to maintain education it would tend to make them favor retrenchment in that department. There are, therefore, many things to indicate that, the Conservatives would reduce expenditure on education if they dare do so, and if they find that the enlarged electorates will give them strength enough they will do it too. The education system is, there fore, not frea from danger at present, and as the burden of taxation which it imposes must increase annually, so must the desire to lessen it.

Now, the private schools would lessen this burden, because private bodies would build their own schools, and relieve the taxes of everything except the amount of the capitation grant. Last year's proposal was to give half the usual capitation, and very probably if the Bill ever passes that will be about the amount allowed by it. Now that would considerably lessen the cost of education and tend to save the system from those who are longing for its destruction. Another thing is that it is absolutely necessary for the good of the titate that the people should be educated. Labor bids fair to become the ruling power, and labor must be properly educated. ~Now, the State has no means of knowing whether persons educated in private schools are receiving the necessary amount of training or not, The State exercises no supervision over them, but, under the Private Schools. Bill it would have its Inspectors to examine them. Then this question of education is simply demoralising politics and keeping good men out of Parliament. It is, therefore, our opinion that the Private Schools Bill ought to be passed, although we know very well it will not, nor for many a year yet.' If the Church of England combines with the Catholics, and both make it a common cause with the advocates of the Bible-in-schools it may then pass, but until this is done it has no chance of passing, and it is only foolish to expect it.

THE., HUTCHISON CHARGES. The sensation of the hour is the Hutchison charges. Mr Hutchison charged the G-overnment with having used public moneys to help the Bank of New Zealand; and also that members of the Government were deeply in the bank's debt. He then challenged the G-overnment to prove that this was wrong, and after some time the challenge was taken up. There was a tremendous flight over the appointment of a committee, and the Government got- five of their own party on it' against four Opposition members. One would think that this would have satisfied thorn but it seems that it did not. Mr Withy—one of the Government party—was elected chairman, and he evidently determined to act perfectly impartial. The committee appears to have acted in a most thorough party spirit. The Government four members wanted their own way, and the Opposition four also wanted theirs, and thus they 'were ranged, with four on each side. In all the , divisions, according to reports, Mr Withy gave his casting ,vote against the Government party, and thus the Opposition were scoring heavily. Here is the point: Would Mr Withy have given bis vote against the Government he has always supported, if he thought they were right Y Would he support his own political opponents if he thought they were wroog ? The fact that Mr Withy therefore opposed the Government and took sides with his political enemies is prima facie evidence that the Government wanfced to burke inquiry. Things went on till the committee demanded that the Bank of New Zealand should exhibit its boobs; fop' the committee's inspection. This the bank refused, and the committee brought the matter before Parliament. Council was heard before the bar of the House in defence of the bank's action, and Mr Withy moved a resolution caj.li.ng on the bank to give up the booka for inspection. To this Wv M'Arthur moved a resolution to the effect that the privatp accounts of Sir F. Whitaker, Sir H. Atkinson, or Mr Mitcbelson should notbe examined, and the House parried the amendment by a majority of nine y.otes. There the matter ends so far, but what does if; show? Part of the charges was that these men were indebted to the bank, but the G/Qyerament party will net allow an inquiry if) b £ M* d o f nto it. Amongst fcho&e who voted wit® the Government to prevent the inquiry is Mr Ehodes. He also votfiid against preventing an inquiry iafco the charges against Jndge Ward. It is evident, 1 therefore that Mr Ehodes js not above pasting his vote in favor of screening a srty transaction' and burking" inquiry! It was proved conclusively that Judge Ward Wad »ojt diagramfully treated, yet Mr Khodes garg fos vote to prevent justice being done to Mm. He has given his vote now to burk inquiry, and it is much to ins discredit. It ie WW possible we may hear no more of this matter, The Liberal members of the committee have resigned, and the inquiry has collapsed so far, we leave it so for the present, and let our readers draw thenown conclusions