The Compulsory Clauses.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3240, 8 December 1880, Page 3

The Compulsory Clauses.

The secretary of .the Board of Education received yesterday afternoon this further communication from Wellington touching the enforcement of the compulsory clauses : " The Defence Department has intimated that the officer at Auckland has been instructed to render assistance in accordance with regulations sent him. I will get them copied for general information,— John Bislop." Since the receipt of this message the School Comittee have had an interview with Superintendent Thomson, the result of Which is that an officer has been detailed for the special purpose of enforcing the hitherto suspended compulsory clauses1 What, therefore, appeared a very problematical proceeding Jast week, ia now an accomplished fact. .■ For this consummation the supporters of national - and secular education have, to thank the Chairman and members of the School Committee. From the very iuenption of their project they have been beset with vexatious difficulties, but, undeterred by these things as well as by the tiresome circumlocution of officialism, they have resolutely persevered with the matter in hand. It is to be hoped that their successors will be men who will not falter from the policy which has heretofore been pureued. The active ec-operation ot Superintendent Thorns m may be calculated upon, for he has alwo ■ s evinced the_ greatest willingness to do » lything in) his' power in the indicated direction., Bis correspondenceiwith the Committee has been characterised by much courtesy and a decided inclination to yield any reasonable assistance. The clauses will not, we presume, be enforced i until after the holidays. Parents of children who have not been in attendance at school, will do well to to see that this remissness on their part is amended at once. A prompt submission to tho inevitable will preserve them not only from legal punishment and penalties, but will likewise spare them a public exposure. They cannot complain of want of notice.