THE SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9495, 26 April 1894, Page 3

THE SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The school committee elections are again over, and it may be inferred that the bulk of the community, and who take only a surface view of our present education system are again satisfied. withstanding, the hidden fact remains, that the system, excellent as it is regarding its intellectual results, is yet practically a godless and characterless one. There is no direct and definite acknowledgment of the Creator and His laws, and as a natural consequence, nothing on which to build sound moral character. While the present system well supplies the head.it totally ignores the heart and the conscience. 1 his is a most vital mistake, and therefore our much-vaunted educational system must in the end— but sure— but a failure, as it regards the forming of good national character. It may be described as resembling a large and beautiful house, which, to behold from the outside, calls far considerable amount of admiration ; but what is the true state of the matter ? Why, within that much-admired building there ' exists hidden from public view, a vital defect, and' which is not only working injury to the building itself, but is also injurious to the well-being of the occupants of the same. Such forms a fairly correct picture of our present New Zealand educational system. While God and the Bible are by law excluded, what permanent beneficial results can be expected to accrue? The system at present contains that dry rot which must end in either its downfall, or else a most emphatic reform. Occasional scraps of religious matter contamed in certain reading books cannot supply the fatal lack. In conclusion, there never can be a perfect blank in such matters, for, if God and the Bible do not rule and guide, then the substitute will be found in man a own corrupt will and reason. National education in the old country is linked with definite and direct moral and undenominational religious teaching and principles, and why not in New Zealand? Echo answers, why not?— am, etc., N Z