CHURCH SCHOOL FINANCE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29071, 7 December 1959, Page 14

CHURCH SCHOOL FINANCE

State Aid Said To Be “Inevitable”

State aid for church schools is inevitable, according to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Gilroy. It would not require a predominance of Catholic voting power either in the electorate or legislature to bring this about; pressure from non-Catholic schools and their supporters would have a powerful effect, too, he said in an interview with “The Press.” “And the general population is realising that education of children whether public or private is a charge on ths community.” he said.

Provided the private schools maintained a standard that was satisfactory for the community they were performing a public service.

It does seem there are more and more people, apart from the Catholic population, who favour the granting of financial aid to private schools,” said Cardinal Gilroy.

“For instance, the superiors of the big non-Catholic schools—they are magnificent schools and a wonderful asset to the nationare finding the financial strain ever more difficult, and many of them advocate the granting of some financial assistance by the Government to them.”

Party Investigation Cardinal Gilroy said that already in New South Wales one political party had indicated its desire to inquire into what could be done about the matter. This was the Liberal Party whose state council at a recent meeting had decided on an investigation. Cardinal Gilroy came to Christchurch specially to bless and open the new redemptorist monastery at Bower avenue. New Brighton. He performed this ceremony yesterday afternoon. In the morning he was tendered a liturgical reception in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

This evening he will be tendered a lay reception in the St James Theatre and he is scheduled to leave Christchurch by air to return to Sydney tomorrow afternoon.