The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1892.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4033, 9 February 1892, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1892.

When we pointed out the other day that the Temperance party missed a golden opportunity of making terms with the Government at the time of the City eleotion we were not aware that another party had displayed that sagacity which was not apparent amongst the Prohibitionists. It is said that on the eve of the Wellington poll, certain representatives of tbe Catholic party waited upon the Premier and when the interview was over they appeared to be exceedingly elate end jubilant. Amongst well informed people it is believed that the Catholic vote turned the election in favour of the Government, and such people are now anxious to know what price the Government has agreed to pay for the support of the Catholic party. We, ourselves, are by no meanß averse to a recognition of what ar3 known as the Catholic claims. There are too many young heathen in the Colony who neither fear God nor regard man and whose education, good as it may be as far as it goes, has a tendency to develop larrikinism. The Catholics are quite right in insisting upon giving their children a religious training, and they ought to have assistance from the State for such secular instruction as may satisfy the demands of tho Educational Department. The Catholics were- undoubtedly justified in taking advantage of the situation to secure some recognition of their claims from the Premier, It would be interesting to know what pledge has been given to the Catholic party by the Government. Tho party was not at all likely to assist the Government in the election without a definite consideration. Tho wonder is not that the party aslted for a concession, but rather that the Premier should have come to terms so readily with it, The Catholic party is to be congratulated upon some substantial gain won from tbe Government at a critical time, but is the Government to bo felioitated upon a victory gained by a sacrifice of principle? From the standpoint of the Liberals a recognition of Catholic claims is a departure from the traditions oftiie party. The Education Act is apparently about to be tampered with I We do not regret that a change is imminent, because we have little faith in the system which has prevailed for so many years; but wo ate certainly surprised to find that there is a probability of a Liberal Government undertaking the work of disintegration,