Bishop Of Waikato On Aid To Church Schools

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27993, 13 June 1956, Page 11

Bishop Of Waikato On Aid To Church Schools

(New Zealand Press Association)

. HAMILTON. June 12. It is significant that of the five new churches dedicated during the vear two of them should have been school chapels, said the Bishop of Waikato .?K Rev -' J ' T - Holland) in his annual charge to the Waikato Diocesan oynod this morning. . For many years now, and in many circles, there has been discussion on ai ° church—or private—schools, but it is only comparatively recently that this topic has developed into a highly inflammable political and sectarian matter. In the present confusion it is difficult to tell what the final outcome will be.” Bishop Holland said that in certain wa J s P rivate schools were already under State control and receiving State am in little forms, so he thought the principle of State aid was already recognised and accepted. The question appeared to be to what extent that aid should be given. His own opinion was that for the well-being of the nation as a whole. State aid might well be increased for certain specific purposes, but such as «w? nce sh °fild be limited in scope. ~ Whereas I am the first to concede that the Roman Catholic brethren, who make up roughly 13 per cent, of our population, have eveny right to press their claims and to ask for anything they like, and, whereas I agree with ??m e their contentions, I am nevertheless profoundly perturbed by the m ?.SS? ds they employ.” he said. They appear, unfortunately to ignore the religious freedom of those who do not belong t< their communitv. A petition recently drawn up by the Holy Name Society claimed to be organised on behalf of all private schools.

.“Simply Not True” This is simply not true. I can state categorically that no authority whatever has been obtained from the Anglican Church (the Church of the Province of New Zealand) for this or a ny other petition of a like nature. K ' 1 f ° r OI ?e- objec. strongly to being oundled without my consent—without even my knowledge—on to someone FanV band ’ wag S° n ’” said Bishop Hol-

in the Waikato diocese four private schools could be classed as Anglican, he said Each now had its own chapel, each of them stood on its own feet, and each of them was providing somethmg uniquely worthwhile, not only

for its own pupils, but also for the community as a whole. The financial burden was heavy and the State aid negligible. But there was no complaint about it. The founders of the school knew only too well that the schools had to succeed on their own merits and on their own exertions, and not by assistance from the State. They, therefore, cut their cloth accordingly.

“When all is said and done there is something intensely* satisfying in having a Church school, which, apart from an essential, though small, measure of State control and State aid. belongs to the Church and is above politics, free and unfettered, even if struggling,” said Bishop Holland.