THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 247, 24 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1872.

The importance of the Education question is evidently not being lost sight of by the people of the Thames. The late large meeting at the Academy

of Music showed this, and the advocates of the secular system met last to prepare a petition to the General Assembly supporting their views. This petition is to be placed in the hands, of Mr Creighton, a warm advocate of the* secular system. The supporters of the denominational system are also, we believe, not idle, but are preparing a counter-petition to bo placed in the hands of Air O’Neill, embodying their views on the subject. This shows, at all events, that the matter is receiving a large share of attention, as indeed it ought to do, for it is a question of the most vital importance. We have not much faith that the proposed bill will pass this session, either as it stands, or as it may be amended. The j opening speech of the Governor makes j no allusion to it, and it is clear that the Fox-cum-Vogel Ministry don’t intend to risk .their seats in the Executive upon it. The probabilities are that it will be shelved this Session as it was last. The attention, however, which the subject is attracting throughout the country must ultimately have weight, and, sooner or later,, a comprehensive scheme of National Education will have to be passed. The battle will be between the Denominationalists and Secularists, and until it is finally decided, the rising youths of the country will be the sufferers, and through them, the whole community more or less. Not only must a system of National Educction be provided, but it must b c compulsory, if necessary, so that in the end there shall not be a man, woman, or child in the country who cannot rend,, write, and cipher, and be able to exercise an intelligent voice on public questions. In a colony like New Zealand, where there is almost universal suffrage and vote by ballot, this is a most essential point. As a rule, we believe mose parents here arc most desirous that their children should have the means of obtaining good schooling, and it is only in a few cases that there would be any necessity to resort to compulsory clauses ; still, we think the principle should be provided for in any National Education Bill. We are sure Mr Creighton will strenuously advocate the secular system in his place in the House, and we are equally certain that Mr O’Neill will advocate the denominational. What the balance of opinion in the House may he it is difficult to say; the probability is, as we have said, that the bill will be shelved for another session. In view of a possible’ dissolution of the House and an appeal to the country (which is not an impossible contingency) the education question will be made a touchstone for all candidates seeking election. The country would in this case have an opportunity of pronouncing an unmistakable opinion on the subject. We are very glad indeed to find that the education question has received so much prominence of late in this large and increasing district, where a large population is growing up around us, who have strong claims upon the attention of the Legislature.