AID TO CHURCH EDUCATION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26394, 12 April 1951, Page 8

AID TO CHURCH EDUCATION

SCHOOL COMMITTEES OBJECT

DISCUSSION ON ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIM ‘

The extension of financial aid to schools outside the State system was unanimously opposed by the Canterbury School’ Committees’ Association at a meeting last evening. During the debate, some members made two general observations: that church schools might have some claim for State aid in that they relieved the Education Department of the need to provide for a considerable body of children; and that they undertook Christian teaching which ought to have a larger place in the State school system. The secretary (Mr A. Greenwood) said he was alarmed by the claim made this week in Auckland by three Roman Catholic prelates, that their church was entitled to a share of, say, £1,000,000 from the £15,000,000 educational grant by the Government. “I feel that the allocation of State funds to these or any other church schools would undermine the whole system of State education,” he said. “Will they open their schools to all teachers? Are they prepared to hand over a part of their school control to the State? They pay their taxes and their teachers, and their children can come into the State schools. They are not satisfied with this. If they want another system—all right; but let them pay for it”

Mr Greenwood then moved that the association should register its objection.

Opposing State aid to "any sectarian school,” Mr R. Claridge (Shirley) said he considered the State educational system the finest available in any country. The church schools taught their dogmas and their theories along with general education, and why should the ordinary taxpayer have to contribute toward instruction which he might not believe? If £1,000,000 were taken from the existing grant. State schools would suffer more hardships than at present, or else the taxpayer would have to find the extra money. “If they want the luxury of church schools (and this applies to any church) they can have it, but don’t ask the taxpayer to pay for it,” Mr Claridge added. “Dangerous Procedure” Mr A. Harris (Woodend) said the Roman Catholic Church had "some sort of a case,” in that if all the pupils from its schools were brought under the State system there would be much greater costs in State education. At the same time he thought the extension of financial assistance was “a dangerous procedure.” A suggestion that the churches seeking assistance be asked to transfer their educational allocation to the State fund, was made by Mr H. G. Hamilton (Woolston). Mr C. D. W. L. Sheppard said that church schools already received various services from the Education Department. Their provision of their own buildings, equipment, and teachers constituted a considerable saving to the State. The church members all contributed to the State in taxation but got little back for their own type of education. The church schools were contributing something to education (even though their individual dogmas might not be approved) in that they sought to attend to spiritual .matters, whereas State schools tended to be entirely materialistic. The New Zealand Council of Religious Education had been formed 18 months ago and although its influence might not yet have been felt in the schools, it was a forward move, said Mrs C. C. Holland (Fendalton). Education should not be concerned primarily with the “three R’s,” so much as with how to live.

Mr E. A. Oakes (Opawa) supported Mr Greenwood’s motion, and said he was opposed to “closed unions of any sort.”

More emphasis on scholastic* attainment was desirable, said Mr D. M. Sullivan (Belfast). The school day-was already filled with side interests. Most of the training desired by some members should be given in the homes and in the churches.

The president (Mr R. J. Cooper) asked how already inadequate building and incidental grants would fare if funds were given to private schools. The motion was then carried.