SECULAR V. DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2716, 6 January 1879, Page 3

SECULAR V. DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

The Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, D.D., delivered an interesting sermon at lit. Mary's Church., Parnell. yesterday morning, on the education question. He opposed th.a denominational system of education: Ist. Because under it the children of different persuasions would be alienated, and trained to mutual mi*conception and hostility. 2nd. .Because the denominations of small numbers vould be left without an erßcient system, and would go to the wall. 3rd. In districts where no denomination is strong enough, the whole would accept a Government school, but what would be the result when any one denomination grew strong enough to adopt the ot^er system ? The other grounds on which he objected to tho denominational system were, that under that system as formerly in operatiou in this colony, false returns were sent in, upon which an excessive share of the subsidy was secured, in fact, ihcse who could lie most received the largest share of tho public money. There was also great misappropriation of funds, the Jrnonies paid for the Government for the maintenance of teachers and schools being oiverted to church purposes. This lead to inferior schools, and starving schoolmasters. The rev. gentleman next showed the vase superiority oC the existing system over the denominational system. He pointed to the flue buildings now erected and in course of erection in various school-districts, the efficiency of the inspection, aud the establishment of classes for teachers, at which us many as 100 are now receiving the best training.