THE LATE EDUCTION MEETING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 192, 12 October 1871, Page 5

THE L ATE EDUC TION MEETING.

(To the Editor.)

Pir, — Will you be kind enough to allow me to make a few remirks with regard to the meeting held in the \thenaeum on Friday ni-iht last? For a period of nine years the Catholics and Protestants of Tuapeka have worked nannomcmslr together, socially, morally, and politically; but the movers of the meeting on Frirlav have inaugurated a movement which is likely to result in no credit to themselves nor benefit to either party ; they have, in fact, kindled a flame that never will be extinguished. Sneaking as a* Catholic, and from a Catholic point of view, I did not think that the Protestants of Tuapeka would be found to array themselves so conspicuously in opposition to tKeir Catholics nei<j;Kbours, for the little but just concession made by the unscrupulous and greedy Government of N"> j w Z 'aland. I compliment Mi. Menzie* for the open, bold, but courteous mmner in which he has declared his opinions on this subject. T.iough totally disagreeing with him in his m )tives, I do not intend to take up too much space in your paper by following the subject iv detail, but I will lay before your Catholic readers t'-e chief points mi his argument. First, he says there will be a multiplicity of schools, w'lich may tend to be of an inferior character. To this I answer that a multiplicity of schools indicates a multiplicity of education : a srood school and a siood teacher will always command a respectable attraction ; and for inferior ones, the evil will remedy itself. 2nd, he says there will be a larger amount of taxation required to support these schools. To this I answer, so there should; wht*re a school "is required, it is but right they should contribute in proportion to the benefit derived.. He has not taken into consideration tie amount of taxation paid by the Catholics of Tuipeka, in which t'ley in nn way participate. 3rd, he said he would dispense with religious instruction in div schools sooner than accept tie Aided School clauses. Now, I boldly assert that I speak the sentiments of all Catholics in Tuapeka when I say fiat religious instruction must be the basis of education for the Catholic youth of this- district, and that sanctioned by their churc'i ; from tins there is no ultimatum, with or without Government aid. Last Friday night's meeting clearly demonstrated to us •low we stand in the. estimation of our Protestants friends; consequently we must once and for ever show them what we want and what we must have. If we are a minority. I see no inferiority, socially, mora.ly, or politically. What we seek is a legitimate right, and while we seek it in a legitimate manner, we expect a due consideration in the high and mighty councils of New Z.salan'l. M*. E litor, my sentiments on this subject are so well known, tr-at writing from this locality and concealing my name is useless.— I am, <fee,

TV. D. Howakd. Tuapeka Flat, 9th October.

(To tlie Editor.)

SrE, — Being present at the educational meeting on Friday evening, I was surprised at seeiug one of the foremost advocates for denominational education — and, of course, increased'! j taxation — a ratepayer who has beenj sued by the Corporation for his presentrates. This being the cisc, how in the name of fortune does ha go in for a fur.^ier.-.ani' rease ? If sin^lp men, -knocking "aHoufe-tl^e country, become a nuisance, what inducement do we hold out' to them to settle, when we. meet them in the face with such enormous ■ rates ? • Better, I should think, for us to take our blankets and get clear of such an imposition t!ian submit to a tax to. gratify . the tuperatition and

whims of any denomination, be they Protestant or Catholic. Let the working men rise up and say, " We won't have it ; we will submit to be taxed to support education that is necessary, and if religious bodies are not content, let them have education to suit them at their own expense." I do not see how Catholics ani Protestants cannot have their children taught at the one day school. T lere is no necessity for anything of the spirit of religion being introduced into a day school, either Bible reading, prayers, or hymn-singing may be done without, if offensive/ to any of thj parents. I should thiiVk it is at a parent's knee and ac a Bu'iiday school where religious impressions are made upon children ; and I do not see w'iy a teac'ier of tbe Catholic persu.ixion could not teach t : >c ciiilil of a Pi'otenhinfc. If hp bo a gen.nimrin hu is not goin^ t«> condescend to iurerfere wit'i anything bearing on the religion of his pupils. We have enough, of tiis system in t ! ie s'uipe. of five, different places o\' wors'iip iv our- uidst under the name of religion, and God forbid t ! »c same number uf schools should arise iv our midst. The demoniacal spirit of the parents wuuld takehold of the children who have not savey to conceal it, and would display itself in pitched battles and scuool fig'its between each ot itsr, instead of that iniMi-ent amusement w.iieh we recollect as tie- life of our sv!io.>l days — dregs left behind on tie eart'i of Paradise Lost, an<l foretastes of tiiat regained for us, which we hope to enjoy. lam not surprise I at the spirit aroused amongst the Catholics at the opening of fc!iu pu die purse to introduce three professors iuto the province- -a step overleaping the boundary of tie progress of trie colony. Anyone possessing the ri.rht feelings of humanity, let alone tue spirit of religion, going over Round Hill an, l seeing how tie poor horses are jolted, strained, and twisted on accouut of bad roads, would see the inconsistency of diverting pujhc inouey to such an the meantime. Let us build the. house before we paint it. If wu must have a higher standard of educatiou, let us have efficient school masters. I know parties who have got the best country schools in the province, through clerical influence, w io i.ive v >t got as much common sense as enables them to speak properly to a OuUoclc. I know men w io have left the home country sHiools and gone to the four quarters of the eai'bh that are au hou»ut> to the schools they left, batter [ fear than ever the Dunediu University will hatch. Parents in New Zealand may rest content about the educational advancement of their children, \'or if this Colony is to become the Biitiau of tie South, wes'iall have to import our politicans and divines; for the foundation to heap learning u,)on is not laid in the minds of our c'lildren. You can see in their unsettled and unstable gait, and iv their vacant looks, tiiat the boys m.iy beco.ne good stockriders, and the i^irls, chignon wearers anl street paraders, but to excel mentally or as mechanics they never will so'lonra* they are pampered at home wtt'i every fling to strengthen tie animal passions and weaken tiie intellectuil, an-1 to heap too much learning thereupon, we s'lall have to enlarge the Lututie Asylum for fieir reception. If tie rates are to be increased, — I speak for myself and for a good many ratepayers, that we ought not to submit to it. The air of the "Southern Hemisphere has not extinguished the old Bntis'i tire within n*, an/ 1 we will atari J ajtiin-stmthert'ian submit to be. crus'ied by tie iron 'ioof of religious dfspoti.s-n, com • if; from Osford, G lin'mrVi, or \i »in \ W.- believe in t!ie reh'^ion of .Jesus, and can accept of teac'if ra w'ien fiey co-na to instruct us in H\* Spirit an I stele, an I if such can not he ha 1, w » will look to our hihlcsaiU ourownspiritu il welfare, and take our sins to tie G-vat Ki^'i Priest who m i le, aton "nent tor t'iPin ii his own body on ti^trf}?.— [ an, %.«. ,

A WORD IX SEA.SO2T.