Catholic Teachers

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1907, Page 31

Catholic Teachers

Under the Lords' Amendments (says the ' Catholic Times ') parents are to have a voice in the appointment of teachers to the denominational schools. This is as it" should be In a free country. But the conditions of it will require, and no -doubt receive, very careful watching. With it comes the question of, . the training colleges; without which no supply of" teachers can be provided. Our rights in that matter are quite clear, and perhaps Mr. Birrell may see his way to recognise them, lie may, however, quite possibly not see his way to recognise anything at all, for it is now more than likely that -he will drop the tßillt Bill and next year bring in another. That again, to be satisfactory, must, either create secular or denominational schools all round. Either solution might easily be made workable : but Mr. Birrell must remember that

secular education is intolerable to Catholics for , Cath-

olic children-. lie may arrange that the State shall - pay not one penny for religious instruction in- schools, hut- he -must not arrange" that teachers may not give such instruction if they choose. In other words, . his Bill must not secularise the schools hy a prohibition of religious instruction in them. ■