THE CATHOLICS OF CANTERBURY AND THE EDUCATION RATE COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 49, 4 April 1874, Page 7

THE CATHOLICS OF CANTERBURY AND THE EDUCATION RATE COMMITTEE.

TO THE XDITOB. Dsab Mb Editob,— Your kindness in publishing our circular has drawn down on our heads the censure' of the * Lyttelton Times,' who devoted a leader to the subject on the 7th February last. Committees are bodies slow to more, consequently it was not till the 18th that our defence could be composed and approved ; nor till the 27th December that it could be got before the tribunal from which the censure | issued. After eighteen days' cogitation, during which eeveral ajjplica- | tions and reminders were made to the office of the paper, it was politely declined on the 16th instant, and the rery next day— the feast of the Patron Saint of Ireland — the attack was renewed in a furious article from the ' Australasian,' inserted in the ' Lyttelton Times ' issued on that date. l The two leading papers of this place, t.r, the 'Lyttelton Times ' and the ' Press,' advocate the same side in this matter, and are under* stood to cut in concert in general. Besides this, too much time has been lost already. It is evident that in the matter of education, as far as the former paper is concerned, there is to be no freedom of discussion in future, particularly during the elections to the new Council ; and as far as the Catholic Church and its members are concerned — delenda est Carthago, and the tolerated edict of 1829 is to be revoked ; Catholics are to be politely requested to retire out of Canterbury, at least if the ' Lyttelton limes ' is to have its way, as indicated in its leader of 7th February hereunto annexed. — We are, dear Mr Editor, your obedient servants, Thi Chaibmah and Mxkbbbs ov tot Education Bate Committee, Chbistchebch. [Annexed are also, * Lyttelton Times,' 21st January ; ' Lyttelton I Times,' 17th March, by newspaper post.]