The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4791, 17 May 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1884.

Gmsof the bones of contention likely to cause some trouble during the coming session of Parliament is the state Education difficulty, and any master mind in the [senatorial chamber, the owner of which will prove himself capable of un« tying this gordian knot,- will [render himself liable to be politically lionised, and deserving of considerable honour. The present system of educating the people has proved satisfactory to a certain extent, and any success it has produced has been very highly paid for—it has proved far too expensive a luxury considering the colony's means. It would appear that the originators of|the scheme of public Education have had their first ideas improved on from time, to time, until now, things in this direction are reaching a I climax, and some sort of reaction is ap parently necessary to check a tendency to rush Education off its legs, and if not killing it by means of making it impracti* i cable in the matter of its cost, doing it to death, by other measures. The first thoughts of the. proposers of the free and compulsory State Education only intended that primary teaching should be provided by the country—that each child should be taught the requisites—what are termed the three It's—of life; the foundation in fact of a necessary Education ; and, further advancement Bhould very properly be paid'for by those, desiring it. This is all the State, should be called upon to do. Subsidising secondary schools, furnishing teachers of other subjects, and the multitude of other expenses attendant upon the supply of what may be termed educational luxuries would hardly be contemplated by any conscientious and thoughtful advocate of any sound system of State Education. The cost of the undertaking will—in this colony, at any rate —kill the thing, and thus gratify many of its enemies, and disgust those friendly to the notions which promulgated it. That Education costs the colony a most uncalled for and absurd amount per annum has been clearly demonstrated from time* to time in various ways, and in addition to this the machinery provided for carrying it out seems to open various doors to flagrant abuses. The system has also many other objections to it, and although we cannot agree with the opinion expressed by the Premier not long ago, to the effect that a modified form of denominatiooaliim will have lo be resorted to, there can be little doubt that some attention will have to be paid to the large number of members of the established churches who raise, and will continue to elevate their voices against the exclusion of all religious teaching' from the State schools.. That the State—in its own schools—should supply Education of a free, secular, and compulsory character alone, should be the recognised principle, but if such Education should be given in other schools, with the addition of higher education, or religious knowledge im parted, there can be no reasonable grounds , for refusing certain assistance according to attendance and proficiency in secular: subjects, to those schools.- Their pro- i vision in the matter of buildings, furniture, i and many other outlays,, is no drain upon the* State; their existence is a relief to : the schools provided by Government; those who 'support them not only pay these outlays, but also as taxpayers pay their quota towards the support of the i .State schools. Why then, should not some measures bo taken, whereby, according lo an easily regulated law, some of the money contributed by thoie tax-

payers we now refer to, may be justly and fairly granted to their schools. To any cool, dispassionate, and logical mind this will not for a moment appear to be an outrageous or irrational request. There can be no doubt that considerable amendment will be made in the Educational laws of the country during the coming, or—in case of party strife running high—the following sejjsion; and "to make any system work smoothly and satisfactorily, it is necessary that provision should be made to avoid opposition' as much as possible, and endeavours, made to suit-all classes and creeds,- which can be nearly accomplished if party fights.do not interfere.