STATE AID FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 2

STATE AID FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Sir,—Regarding the claim made by Bishop Liston for the return of £1,000,000 to the Catholic schools, I suggest that the claim be taken to the Supreme Court and finally settled. As a bush lawyer, my contention is that with a commonsense judge the Bishop would come out on top, inclusive of many years “back pay. I cannot see any other means of satisfaction. Taxation by the Government with no remuneration does not sound logical and lacks justice. The Catholic schools comply with the required regulations as imposed by the Education Department and its inspectors. Agreeing that other private schools are similarly concerned as regards finance, I suggest they co-operate with the Catholic schools. Right is might.—Yours, etc., JAS. HILL. Belfast, April 13, 1951.

Sir, —In support of your correspondent “L.8.M.” may I be permitted to add two points to his reply to “Hoping.” The first is that "Hoping” has no conscientious objection to travelling In trains but only a dislike of the railways’ comfort; second, he is not under compulsion by the Government to go for his trip. If, as in the case of Catholics, who have a conscientious objection to the State system of education, and who are nevertheless compelled to send their children to school by a government honouring freedom of religion, he likewise objected to trains, but was forced to travel, he would be quite within his rights to demand and expect government aid to run his car. Yours etc. NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC. April 14, 1951.