The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1873. THE EDUCATION BILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 19, 6 September 1873, Page 5

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1873. THE EDUCATION BILL.

This Bill has been read a third time in the Legislative Assembly; and it is, therefore, our duty to examine it somewhat in detaiL This is the more necessary as, owing to its permissive character, it is likely to become law. The several Provinces are to be left at liberty to accept it in part, or altogether, or to reject it ; and such a provision will recommend it to the acceptance of our legislators and disarm Provincial jealousies, prejudices, and conceit. Besides, in rejecting it in part as the majority of the Provinces are sure to do, they will be enabled to administer a snub to the General Legislature, and thus compensate in a measure for the subordinate part they are generally compelled to play. There is, however, one' provision of the Bill which the Provinces — that is, the Provincial Governments and Councils — will gladly accept : that is the clause enabling them to tax the people without asking the people's consent. The Education Boards are to be empowered to levy an Education tax on the chance vote of Provincial Councils. Such a vote may be passed at the end of a Session by surprise, by cabal, and in defiance of public opinion. The Members of some of the Provincial Councils are now afraid to vote for a law to raise an Education grant : they entertain a wholesome dread of their constituents, and they bear in mind that the day of reckoning is not far off. But if the General Legislature will be only good enough to pass this Bill, a great deal of difficulty and danger would be removed.

It appears toi'us that this taxing provision has been introduced to oblige the Otago supporters of the Vogel Ministry. The other Provinces do not seem to want any such provision. In Auckland, thei*e is always an Education tax ; such is the case also in "Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, but not in Otago. Last year an attempt was made in the last-named Province to carry a Bill authorising an Education tax, and there was a majority in its favor j but so strong was the opposition, and so determined the resolution not to submit to the tyranny that would impose a tax upon all for the exclusive benefit of a majority that the Bill was ultimately withdrawn. This year the attempt was not renewed, for obvious reasons. But Otago wants the tax to maintain her rotten system of Education, aud is dcteriniued to uphold her bigoted national and religious ascendency. The Superintendent of Otago — the guardian genius of the Vogel administration, and his southern tail — might escape a great difficulty, and carry their point by a surprise next year, were this new .Bill to become law. It is to be hoped, however, that there is honor, honesty, and

principle enough in the Legislative Council to defeat tfcia conspiracy against justice and truth. '-< • - . . ••■;•,. With the. exception of this provision,- the present Bill does not differ from that introduced the session' before last by Mr Fox, and with which we had reason to be thorougb.lv dissatisßed. There is no attempt to do us justice, no security for us, no care, no tenderness, for our conscientious convictions and principles. "We are to be handed over to the tender mercies of Boards,' composed in almost' every instance of the deadly enemies of our 1 faith and race and C £S? to pay mone X to undermine the faith of our children, and destroy all £he J securities of civil society . It will be said,' however, the Bill empowers Provincial Councils to give aid to' our schools;' but a new clause has been introduced 1 by Mr Vogel, empowering the Councils to throw out the - aided" clauses? The clause was passed Wa' miserable 'majority of 4.' r The Catholics have to thank Mr Vogel for deriving them of the last chance ot justice. "WVexpeetetTa's much. An optional power iv Councils where Roman Catholics are concerned, is a mockery, a delusion'; The experience of the past assures us that Councils would never exercise this power in favor of us JN othingless'thtaa clause compelling Education Boards to aid us out of our own monies will suffice; and we doubt if ever such a clause will be sufficient. So" far as Otago is concerned, we are convinced* it' would not. In this Province some means wpuld. be discovered to defeat a provision so just and equitable: We lio ; pe, therefore, Mr. Vb'gel's' 1 Bill will not pass. It can do no good to any one, and its onlyeffect would be to enable bigots to perpetuate injustice with greater facility. than they otherwise' could. Can we get no justice from' the .'Legislative Council; or will' they and the Governor approve of such tyrannical oppression?