The New-Zealander. TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1849.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 329, 17 July 1849, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 184 9.

t'.e just ami fear not! Let all tlie'ciulh tliou aiuih't at, be thy Country's, Thy God's,, and I'iutlt's.

Amongst the questions which most powerfully engage the interest and call forth the energies of thoughtful and benevolent men in the present day, Public Education deservedly occupies a prominent place. Its importance morally, socially, and even politically, can scarcely be exaggerated, and the very difficulties which invest it only strengthen its claims on attention, and exhibit the magnitude of its objects and the urgency of its requirements, in a broader and clearer point of view. In the home country, the subject has not merely secured the solicitous regard of philanthropists and Christians, but has also commanded the care of statesmen, who cannot, if they would, close their eyes to the fact, that a desiie — a determination— td know, pervades the mass of the people •, that the mightiest intellects of the age are willingly exercised in providing aliment for that craving ; that the elements of information can no longer be kept shrouded in the hieroglyphics of an abstruse mysticism, unintelligible to all but the initiated, or the key of the temple of knowledge be hidden amidst the folding robes of a priest to be brought forth only to unlock the portals for the admission of a favoured few ; and that, in short, the question calling for immediate and practical consideration, is not so much — Shall we permit the people to be educated ? as, How can we aid and regulate a movement which, however we act, is sure to progress in some diiection, in such wise, as to render it most conducive to the real benefit of individuals and of the community at large ? On the Continent of Europe and in America, schemes of various degrees of merit and efficiency are in operation, all based upon the necessity thus created, and all virtually recognising the obligations thus imposed ;' and, in England, for several years past, successive Governments have earnestly bent their energies to the performance of a work which the accumulating force of circumstances and the growing convictions of the public 'mind*, rendered increasingly imperative upon them. There, however, numerous and formidable dbstacles have imppded their effoHs. The inherent faultiness and injustice of some of the pkfti's proposed ; conscientious scruples, ecclesiastical assumptions and rivalries, sectarian prejudices and jealousies; have divided even [ those who fully concurred in the abstract ■ principle, that it is the right and the duty of j the State to legislate for the promotion of na» j tional education ; and the result has been, an absence of that cordial co-operation amongst i the real friends of education, which is essential to the complete success of any comprehensive and, generally applicable measure. But ; brighter and still brightening prospects hg&ve opened in this matter. The Committee of Council on Education, have zealously, and, as we are firmly persuaded, sincerely set themselves to reconcile the differences arrd obviate the difficulties in the' Way of their' great undertaking.'" The " Minutes " of August and December, iS46 — especially as errprain^d, if not modified, in some of their subsequent' negociations and correspondence with the Wesleyan body and others, — are substantially acceptable to the bulk of the religious and benevolent public : and many who continue hostile to the scheme, — (as for example, the High-Church party who claim for the Establishment an exclusive control over all national grants for educational purposes, and the low Dissenting party who carry their Voluntaryism to the extent of denying the right of the State to interfere at all in Public Education) ; — are 4 roused to more vigorous efforts for the maintenance and.muitiplication of schools on their own< principles. Thus the strong-holds of popular ignorance and apathy are assailed from several, and, in some points, opposite quarters, and an impulse of unprecedented force accelerates the general movement for the advancement of intellectual and moral knowledge. Our immediate concern now, however, is with the, j position of the question of Public Education in this colony, — a topic always interesting, but at present pressed Upon our consideration by the course which the Legislative Council of New Munster have thought fit to pursue. Prom the Wellington papers which have lately reached us, •we learn that, when the Estimates were submitted, a Committee of that Council, consisting of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney -General, the Colonial Treasurer, Dr. Munro, and Messrs. J. D. Greenwood, G. Hunter, and D. Seymour, presented a Report and Resolutions m which the Educational Ordinance (Session 8. No. 10) enacted for the whole of New Zealand in October 1847, was objected to, and the outline of a different bill was sketched, with the request that Lieutenant-Governor Eyre would prepare and introduce it. This his Excellency declined to do ; and the result was that the proposition for the appropriation of a sum of £800,— or, indeed, of any sum at all — for educational purposes, was negatived by a decision of the Council on the 1 6th ult. We state the leading facts thus briefly and nakedly ivi u tf ie first instance,

deeming it convenient to recall to attention the provisions of the existing law, before we examine more particularly the foundation and chaiacter of the opposition thus arrayed against it. We shall, however, note as we proceed the amount of agreement in those provisions which the Wellington Councillors have expressed. The fundamental principle of the measure is stated in the words of the Preamble, that « It is fitting that provision be made for the Education of Youth in the Colony of New Zealand." Filling, in the oldest and most advanced countries, this is surely an especially fitting step hete, where society is composed of those who are newly separated from the advantages enjoyed in more civilised lands, and of those who are just from the depths of levolting barbarism Pk dense ignorance, and manifesting not only a willingness to be taught but an aident desire to obtain information. The right of the State to interfere in the case is necessarily assumed. This, which has been matter of lengthened and vehement contention in England, need not be discussed here, as the "Resolutions of the Southern Council commence with an explicit declaration that " it is the duty of every Government to see that its subjects are provided with the means^af education." We shallmerely remark that it hast always seemed to us passing strange that intelligent and honourable men should' deny the right of the Legislature to strive forthje pteveniion by moral means of those crimes which it is its painful but obvious duty to puiish by penal inflictions. In the vords of one of the most important iccent publications on the subject, "That it is a function of the Lcgislatiuc to improve domestic momlity and social comfort by education is apparent, beciuse on the Slate devolve.? the duty of suppressing crime by coercive means and. penal enactments The Statesman who endeavours to substitute instruction far coercion ; to procure obedience to the law by intelligence rither than by fear ; to employ a system of encouragement to virtuous exertion, instead of the dark code of penalties against crime •, to use the public resources rather in building schools than barracks and convict ships ; to replace the constable, the soldier, and the gaoler by the schoolmaster, cannot be justly suspected of any serious design against the liberties of his country, or charged with an improvident employment of the resources of the State.""" The force of such ah argument cannot be evaded but by the virtual adoption of the conclusion that — as Mr. Macauley has tersely expressed it, — " the proper functions of Government are simply those of a great hangman." ~The co-existence of two races in New Zealand, however., renders it an injury of some interest $6r whose benefit was this measure primarily designed % - In what proportions should the Grant from the public ifivenue be employed for the education of the "children of colonists and of those of the Aboriginal People ? That the measuie was so framed as to include all, is evident from the wording of- the OttUnance, as well as from the statements of those by whom it was explained and defended in the Legislative Council of 1 8 17 ; but',' we maintain tliat it should apply first and chiefly 'to the instruction and elevation of the Natives, — a conclusion . which is, in our view, clearly demanded by equity and sound policy, as well as by generosity and benevolence. This decollation is not the result of any transient gush of sentimental feeling, but of a deliberately foimed and settled conviction. Apart from all contingent and adventitious circumstances, we hold that, on the simplest principles of justice, the Aborigines of these Islands are entitled to primary consideration in such a measure ; and the case in their favour acquues additional and conclusive cogency when we take into account their numbers ; the intimate connexion between their moral and intellectual improvement, and the general security, peace, development, and well-being of the colony \ and the large proportion in which the public revenue is derived from their contributions. This latter point was well put by the Governor, in the original debates- on the Bill, ■when — (referring to the proposal of a dissentient member of Council that only £500 should be applied for the purpose of their education) he said "From calculations entered into, it appeared that the Natives contiibuted £10,000 a year toward the revenue, yet it was proposed that £500 a year should be set apart for their education. He contended that such a proposal was positively unjust towards them, and something more liberal might have been expected from the hon. member. Was it fair that gentlemen should come here, sit down amongst the aborigines, and impose taxes on them, without giving them a fair share in the benefits accruing from their expenditure ? He would be inclined to propose that £2000 a year should be devoted to their instruction ; but he did not think that such an amount could be for some time set apart, yet that did not prove that they i\ ere not entitled to it." f While, therefore, we would be fat from excluding the necessitous of either race or of any class from a participation in the advantages of the measure, we hold generally speaking, the Europeans Tire aWp. and should be expected, to defray the ' expences of the education of their own children, and that by much the larger share of Government aid should be afforded to the rising native

* " The School in its Relations to the State, the Church, and the Conijiegatioiu"— Bvo, London, 1817., j "NcwZcalamler/ Octobu id, idi7.

generation. The Committee of ihe Sjutheui Provincial Council, howevei, seem to judge differently. Their fouith resolution is — " That one- half of the sum to be voted or applied out of the general revenue for the purposes of education shall be setapaif, foi the exclusive Lunetil of the Maoii population, and the other moiety shall be distributed by the Lieutenant -Governor, with the advice of the Legislative Council, among the settlements of the Province according to their population." There is here a semblance of lcgaid for the rights aVid interests of the Maoris, but, we are constrained to think, no more than a semblance. To restrict' the amount appropriated for their culture, to one half of the total grant, (as the adoption of this proposal would in effect do), would be to withhold from them what lensjn, wisdom, justioe, and hu namty claim on their behalf. The Ordinance before us proceeds to make provision , for the annual inspection of Schools supported or aided from the public funds. This has been one of the moot-points in the controveisies in the parent country ; and we- should ourselves decidedly object to the interference by any government oflioial in the distinctively religious training in schools, which were established on sound and scriptural principles. But the seventh clause, in which the nature of the inspection is defined, is sufficiently clear and satisfactory. The Inspector is simply to examine and report upon the income and expenditure, the number of children, the disci-! pline and management, particularly in relation to indusvf i(d instruction., and tLe general efficiency of the schools. No doubt, even within these limits, meddling, incompetent, or prejudiced Inspectois could give much annoyance, and do serious mischief ; but a Government really anxious to promote its professed object, would be caicful to place this trust in suitable hands, and to weigh with impartiality representations from any quarter, as well as the leports of the authoiised Inspectors; and common sense may tell us that a Government is not only warranted, but bound in its administration of the public le venue to sec that the funds are faithfully applied to those public purposes, and to those alone, for which they weie granted. The portion of the Oidinance which refers to the nature of the education to be given, particularly in its bearing upon religion., and to the parties to whom the general superintendence of the schools, with special reference to this subject, is confided, is obviously the most important of all. We believe, moreover, that it is this which in reality constitutes the great moving spring of the hostility of the Southern opponents of the measure. The consideration of this subject, however, will demand more space than we can allot to it at the end of this already lengthened (and,, in Sonle respect, pr-eiiininary) arti&le. Upon our judgment oa this topic will depend much of the estimate we may be led to form of the proceeding of the Provincial Council at Wellington. As the case now sta.nds, the majority of its members have •taken upon them the responsibility of practically declaring that, so far as they are officially concerned, public education shall not at present be carried on in the district over which they have jurisdiction. This is a weighty responsibility indeed. How far are they justified in assuming it ? Are there tenable grounds on which they can vindicate their course %

The "M'aukin," Captain Hughes, which sailed from Sydney on the 3rd nisi., amved heie on Sunday, bringing Sydney newspapers to the date of her departure. The English mail for March had not arrived. The " Lady Peel," 109 days from Liudon, with a number of female immigrants, had reached Sydney just before the " Maukin" left. " ' In the Legislative Council at Sydney there had beer* an animated debate on the bill brought in by the Attorney-General for admitting as legal evidence the testimony of the aboriginal natives. The measure was rejected, on the motion for its second reading, by a majority of one, the numbers being 10 to l>. The •< Sydney Herald," while it agrees in the decision, and acknowledges the ability with which" the argument was conducted, declaies that the feeling which was manifested was " unworthy of an assembly calling itself Christian, or, setting Chtistianity aside, calling itself civilized ;" and charges npon several members of Council the " cold-blooded' atrocity 1 ' of wishing the extermination of the native race, because " the blacks interfere with the profits of grazing." On a subsequent day, a committee was appointed to inquire into the state of the aborigines, especially with regard to the effects of the present protectorate system at Port Phillip. Various changes are taking place in the periodical press at Sydney. The " Atlas" is defunct : its death is gracefully covered by a statement that it merges in a proposed Daily Paper to be called " The New South Waleb Times." This is to be started by " a party of gentlemen interested in the advancement and prosperity of the Colony, who are convinced of the absolute necessity that exists for another Daily Paper in Sydney." Mr. Patrick Grant has also announced a Daily Paper, to appear as soon as he is assured of adequate support. It* title is to be " The Sydney Morning Telegraph." And a new Weekly Paper to be called " The

Australian Colonist" has been announced. Its publication has been postponed, huwcvcr, until the piojeclor can obtain mure extensive patronago. The " Christia 1 Standard" has been 'liscontinued, in consequence, it is stated, of the apathy of some on whose support the conductors considered themselves entitled to rely. An Address, signed by the Mayor of Sydney and 1800 of the inhabitants, has been piesented to Sir Charles Fiiz Roy, bearing testimony to his official exertions and personal courtesy, and protesting against the imputations cast upon him by speakers at the late public me6ting on the Exile question. His Excellency's reply declares his earnest desire to promote the prosperity of the Colony, and asset ts that his endeavour has alwrtys been to treat with " perfect courtesy" all who* waited upon him on public business, not excepting the deputation from the meeting referred to. A new instance of official neglect was the theme of some sharp animadversion*. It appears that in October, 1816, an Act of Council was passed for amending the laws incorporating the town of Melbourne ; but so long a time was suffered to elapse before it was forwarded for the Royal appioval, that the Order of Her Majesty in Council for its ratification and confirra'ation did not arrive until it was too late to proclaim it within two years after the passing of the Act. 'J?he measure therefore falls to, the ground. Ifi our next we shall glean further itcnis of intelligence from the Colonial Journals now on our table, ,

Supreme Court. — Important Judgment. — Yesterday, Chief Justice Mirtin delivered Judgment in the case of sci>c facias, the Queen versus Taylor, which, as most of our leaders are" aware, involved the question of the legal right of the Kawau Mining Company to the Island of Kawau. After an able and elaborate review of the arguments, His Honor gave Judgment in favour of the Company, declaring them entitled to possession of the whole Island. lie also read a Judgment to the same effect forwarded to him by Mr. Justice Cuaptnan. We hope to give a full report in our piper of Thursday.

GICANIVCS FKCTM LATb'NMVSPAI'ERS. — It 11 S id' that the Qieen k likely soon to present an ndJ.» tion to hur own f.imtly circle, and to the rising hope* ol 1113 na'iou ...Toe present 15 iron of Auckland, (the, Earl<tora Uuitig extinct), is the first H.«hap of So lor arfd Ivtun who ever sit in the House of Peers Ilia Lordship (letter known as tire Hem. and Ray. Robert Eden, latb Vicar of Batterse-i),- w-i» born in 1799.. .L0fd Joan Russell has been elected oniiof the Eller 15 otliL-p* of the Trinity House, in pUce of the lite Lord Melbourne.. Four thousand persons hive .iheuly been a p enticed by Cr iverninpiit und»r the mimres of the Committee of Council on Eiluo ti >n. . Tuc Enperorof Russia has presented to Sir \V. S. Hair a ma; Ifke trsng.asa mirkof the Empern-'s appreciation of his scientific iervi:ea... Amonj^bt the vhuna'iof cholm\i at Glasgow Ins been Profess r Thorn on, who long and ably fl led the chair of na- • uixl philosophy in that untversi y...1t is ** »id that 1 *,000 copies of DicLeu's last Chiistmas story were gld on the day of publication. It has been re-pub-lished i i AnicicA ut the price ofsiX' cents. \. The new "French Po 3 ti£e stamps chsJly resemble the English, <;s the Republic is symbolized by a fern \\s heal, mid tht-y me of similir hiza and colour. .. .There a-o in Pans 337 establishments tor piimaiy education, capable of ec i>ing 46,62 l pupils. .The constiu-tionofacin.il between Kiel and the mouth of the Eibj is seriously conteinp uted. The obj cr is, by f. u-.tr iting the mnmpoly of the Sound an! the Two I3dts, atp csnt enj )>ed by thi Scandinavian powers, t> facilrtate ihe cieatton of an indepe.ide it G-rnnn fluct...Tnc X up; of Pi Uisia has confer led on JM. Gaizjt, llu oidei ot M nt for the Art 3 and Scienjes.. The ports of Wdt -rloo B.iy and East L mdon, in the Cape of Good Hone, hiive been onstuut'-d free poits i.nd free vvarehou'sins ports.. At tho hsl meeting of propriut >is of •,tock in the Canad*i Company, it was icporte.l that ihu sales of lai}d during the year am >untc.d to tii 871 acres; the average price 15 J. per acre. The remittances from settlais t> their friends exceLd j d £$0 '0, being male in 17.11 distinct sums.. Decrees have been published at Berlin abjlhhiiij? many tollb and dues payii.le by tl^j farmeis-, aud peasant proprietors of v.i-ioui districts in Prussia.. ..An el-ctric telegraph was about to be established between Berlin, Cologne, and Frank'ort-on-tlie-iMainc. At- tiro half-yeaily meeting of the Sou h Auitralmn Company, lu'elv held in Lindon, it was rner.ti.med no a statistical fact of some i.itercst, that tRe population of the colony, now anountfn? to 40,00), had doubled within the las thiee yens. The accounts <roia thi mining districts of the Company' wer© favourable... Slavery hid been abolished at Cayenne. The blacks a^8 l mbled in thousands, anrthanked Gol and the Goremor for liberty. „Ta« Rus'ian governmeut »«as ordertd a reduction pqual to 5s fiJ. por cwt. in the duty on yellow iupfars.. The Sultan has, by a receut firman, declared Christian* admissible to the highest offices in Tirkev,— even to the dignity of Pacha or Vizier. The Massuinuns sUjw groat indignation at this a<'t of liberality.