THE CATHOLIC CLAIMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5396, 4 March 1879, Page 3

THE CATHOLIC CLAIMS.

TO TUB EDJTOU. Slit,—l have noticed thatyou givo a hearing to both sides. 1 venturo tnsend a few remarks. I and many others were ranch disappointed on leading Mr. Firth's specch. I had hitherto thought Mr. F>rth a liberalminded man, and am surprised that one so long with tho public should have such narrow views. The Catholic* whom he seems so bitter against do not seek any favour* from the Government: they only ask justice. They cannot, unless they go against their conscience, make use of the secular schools, and as they havo to pay their share of the taxes, they only ask that if their schools reach the standard required by the Government they receive aid in proportion. lam quite certain that many opposed to it would not lik<3 themselves to do anything against their conscience, and yet would propose that a largo proportion of the inhabitant* should go quite against their religion and conscience, which no true-hearted man would do. Mr. Firth hu a very strange way of trying to prove that the Government schools are not secular, lie surely mu*t know that the meaning of the word "secular" is "worldly,** and. as they profess to teach;woildly subjects only* the right name la secular.—l am, &c., A, Habbisso>i\ Foasocby.