STATE EDUCATION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1888, Page 4

STATE EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib— After reading your artiolo on the 25th instant on the abovo subject, I wish to Bay a few words. With regard to your remarks, "Wo shall not be surprised, indeod, if the exporionco is of such a oharaoter as to convince them that the sohool ago must bo raised not to six, but to seven." Raise tho sohool age to commence at seven.' What then? The resnlt will bo the streets will bo crowded with littlo children wandorin|j about— no objeot bofore them but mischief. From 5t07 is just the ago to mould tho mind to obedionco: you can never obtain the same results after. Thon again, oxamino tho sohool returns, and see how the soholars have advanced. It will be found that a large number are ready to go into the first and second standard; but let them commence learning at seven. Where are you now ? It simply means that the poor working men will be the sufFerers ; andthestrugglingfarmerand farm labourers, they will say the Qov3£hment will not lot the children be taught before seven, and will keep them in idleness till that ago. How many hundreds of poor families cannot afford to keep their children at sohool after eight or nine? Whataninjurywill bo done them! Make phe sohool-age seven, and you strike a deadly

blow at tho root of the f roe education system. Far hotter lop off some of tho branches. Better let tl c people face tho whole diffioulty and provide their own oduoation than make it nefithor one thinp nor the other. Without Parliament passes an Aot making it compulsory that children of Beven can only be admitted to the State schools, after naeainff an examination, nothing will be saved, for they will have to be taught tho eamo lessons aB they would if they were five years old. If any of the honourable members eleot«l for this city doubts the results of the above, lot him seek a fresh clootion, and test tbe result; it would prove a useful lesson for the guidance of the House next Bession. lam, &.0., Sydney Stidolph. j rL __jj^ i "' *