THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 196, 2 November 1871, Page 5

THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

(To the Editor )

Sir, — Mr. Hrnzies, in replying to my letter, in vpur issue of the I9th Oct. stated that I accused the School Committee of beginning this controversy. I beg leave to inform Mr. M. that I made no such accusation, which he can see by referring to my letter. 1 have not the honour of those gentlemen's acquaintance, nor had I the opportunity of hearing their opinions on this subject ; and I must charitably suppose Mr. Manzies has not imputed to me such notives in order to shift the responsibility to others. I commented on what I heard himself express, and drew my conclusions from the views and resolutions carried at the meeting ; nor can I see, up to the presr/nt time, any feasible reason for altering my opinion. Hesays the aim of the meeting was for ,all'to meet on" equality ; in the name of common sense, by what process of reasoning does he call equality for one* party to appropriate to themselves what justly belongs to another, without »iviug anything in return. First cede to us a little of our just right, with some show of justice, aud we can meet with equality; but, it requires 'no great stretch of the imagination to see what the Roman Catholics may expect from Mr. Menzies 1 equality, for the whole gist of his arguments are these :■ — If you Roman Catholics don't comply with our system of education, you will uot participate in the school funds,' thatis if wecanprevent'you. Tiiisisactually forcing his system by the only means at his disposal, namely, by withholding £><ore «o o«»i" oUt»\«o of tlio ooKool fnn.Ua j and I will leave to an no prejudiced public to judge if there is not an illiberal spirit glaringly visible here. Mr. Alenzies takes great credit t6 himself for not applying to any Government for aid to support his convictions.

With his con--victions I have nothing to do, except that which he wishes to exercise where [ am concerned, and if that be taken as a criterion for the rest, I must candidly say I don't wonder any siovernment would not cive much towirda th'iir support. Wish these rerairfcs i will coivlu-le this subfjact for tin present. I think I have unmiatakeably shown where the illiber.il spirit prevails. There are other parts of Mr. Ms. letter I would like to follow up, but I must tfike into consideration the space lam occup -in i, and were it not for the gravity of the question at issue, I CM't-iinly' would noc hive trespassed on the columns of this journal. — I am &<j., \V. D. Howard.

Tnapeka Flit, O?t 23rd; 1871.

P. 8. — Mr. . M'^nzLriS sounded the alarm for those who may be found napping to be awakened in due time. Comment from me oa this is unnecessary. — W. D. H.