THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. MONDAY, JULY 29, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 251, 29 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. MONDAY , JULY 29, 1872.

We have been true prophets in the matter of the Education Bill, so far as predicting that the present Ministry had no intention of fathering the bill, or risking their seats in the Executive upon it. It is tolerably ccrtai 1 now that no Education Act will be brought forward at all this session, and “ private enterprise ” will, as heretofore, have to provide the educational machinery, supplemented by scanty doles from the Provincial Treasury provided, of course that there is any revenue in the Provincial (Jliest left for the purpose. The petitioners in favour of denominationalism or secularism, or any other “ ism,” as applied to the teaching of youth, are simply wasting powder by addressing the collective wisdom in Parliament assembled on this topic, and may cease paying canvassers to obtain signatures to the documents now being circulated with a view to transmission to Wellington at an early date. The fact that no allusion was made to this important subject in the Governor’s opening speech was a tolerably sure indication that the Ministry did not intend to bring forward an Education Bill. The Governor here, as in other colonies having a responsible Government, is a mere “ dummy,” and his opening speeches are merely, of course, the speeches of his responsible advisers for the time being. Of the great importance of the education question no man is better able to judge than our present Governor, who is a sound scholar, and owes his rise in life principally, if not entirely, to. that fact. ►So far, therefore, as he is individually concerned, there can be little doubt that if the opening speech this session had been his own, the Education Bill would have been one of its most prominent features. The present Ministry has undoubtedly shirked its duty in this matter. Whether any* independent member is prepared to bring it forward remains to be seen, but even if such a patriotic individual can be found, the attitude of the Government in respect to it is not encouraging. Sooner or later the question must come before the assembly, and the battle of Secularism versus JDenominationalism will have to be fought. In the meantime the rising generation will be the sufferers, and through them eventually the whole community. In the Province of Auckland the standard of education will, unless we are greatly mistaken, be found to be lower than that of the Southern provinces, which is not a very gratifying reflection to the Auckland people, if they choose to take the trouble to reflect upon it at all, and compare themselves in this matter with Nelson and Otago. The policy of the present Government is, if possible, to create a large influx oi population to New Zealand, but unless means are taken to provide for their settlement, and for the education of the young, it will be a most disastrous policy. The fact of any countiy having almost universal suffrage, and no comprehensive system of national education is enough to startle the merest tyro in political economy. The recent meetings, and the large amount of correspondence which has taken place on the subject in the columns of the Press are unmistakable indications that the people, at the Thames, at all events, are alive to the importance of the subject, and we are sure they will feel surprise, not

Hrtmiuglcd tfitli a certain amount of indignation, at tile course which the Ministry have adopted. Whether advocates of a secular or denominational system, they.jyill alike feel that a very • grave neglect rests at the doors of the Executive. No subject to be brought be<’ore the Legislature could possibly be more important. In its ultimate effects it will be far more efficacious for good or evil than any amount of abortive railways, rival mail boat schemes, or other projects to be brought forward. Not only this district, but every other in this province,* at all events, if not throughout the whole colony, cannot but feci that in this instance the Fox-cum-Vogel administration has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.