THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3838, 18 April 1881, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1881.

Seveeaij of the members of the Assembly, in their late addresses to their constituents, while referring to the question of education, hinted at a probable alteration in the present system. The impossibility of the State continuing to make such large grants annually for educational purposes was the excuse given by mesfc of the speakers, but the Hon Mr Gisborce was more outspoken, and, in addition to the question of cost, put forward other grounds in faror of an alteration. He is reported to have said as follows :—-

" And now I come to a very important question; it is the education system, in which Ido not altogether believe. The chief points of my objections are, first: In my opinion, unless the present system is materially altered, it will not staud, on accoujt of its heavy and increasing cost. Does it follow that because the State allows and pays for free education to rich and poor alike, that the system is fair and equitable? No. I say if a liberal education is to be extended, to all, let those who are able to pay for their children do so. (Hear, hear.) Another very important matter, I may call it a grievous wrong, crops up constantly-:''ls the system a national oce ? Fo, it is not, for it excludes a large minority, who, for conscience sake, are obliged to refrain from participating in a system of school training which they at the same moment are anlled upon to maintain. I ask you, gentlemes, is this anything like justice? Are the religious feelings of a large minority to be sacrificed because a majority wills it ? I say no, emphatically no ! I will always raise "uy voice against it. (Applause.) Lot us rather have a change, aiad revert to the old system before 1877, which granted aid to private schools of an approved standerd, and which were subject to Government Inspectors. The State would then enjoy a national character such as under the present systeai it cannot enjoy. I believe a change in that direction will be the ultimate result, for already the idea is gaining countenance."

The speaker does cot very clearly prove some of his assertions; still it is,a well known fact that the members of the Eoman Catholic Church do not take advantage of the present system. In this district schools have been erected by the congregation and maintained for years, and for that purpose the members of the Church have submitted, to a tax being levied upon them, and which to their credit it may be said they have willingly paid. But, on the other hand, we very much question the wisdom of State aid being granted to denominational schools as recommended by Mr Gisborne ; such a step would be a retrograde one? and one which we feel will neve..* be taken by the legislature of this colony. It is unfortunate that the minority represented by the Roman Catholic Church refuse to accept the benefits of the State schools, but that the whole system should be remodelled to suit their circumstances is manifestly absurd. The colony may be compelled, however, to demand certain fees from those participating in the higher branches of the curriculum of the schools, and so relieve the call upon the revenue ; but any deviation from the principleand system at present in fortfte we trust to never witness.