"THIS INIQUITOUS SYSTEM."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14240, 10 December 1909, Page 6

"THIS INIQUITOUS SYSTEM."

STATE EDUCATION. (

A ROMAN CATHOLIC VIEW,

At. the distribution of prizes in connection with the Sacred Heart College, at St. Benedict's Hall, East-street, last evening, New Zealand's educational system was subjected to some criticism from the Roman Catholic standpoint.

Bro. Clement, principal of the college, in referring to the disadvantages the institution laboured under, said he thought a protest might be lodged against the injustice Catholics had to submit to in regard to scholarships. Catholic children attending Catholic schools, were not eligible for those State bursaries which were paid for in part by their heavily-taxed parents. Moreover, Catholic children attending State schools, who were fortunate enough to secure State bursaries, could not avail themselves of those bursaries in Catholic schools %f where they received a secular training eqHial to the best obtainable in the State secondary schools, and where their faith and morals were fostered. By this iniquitous system Catholic schools were deprived of many brilliant pupils attending their schools. (Applause.) He suggested, as a remedy, the founding of bursaries open to all Catholic schools in the diocese, or in the Dominion, to help the more brilliant of their pupils to complete their studies by following a college course. (Applause.) Bishop Lenihan, speaking subsequently, endorsed Bro. Clement's remarks. Seeing that Catholics, he said, had to pay their share of the taxation just the same as other people, one would expect they wonld at least receive fair treatment, but they did not. It was .a shame that the Government should treat them in this fashion, yet they posed as being desirous of seeing every New Zealander educated. The Grammar School was assisted in almost every way, but still it was not satisfied, and, like Oliver Twist, asking for more, was now endeavouring to filch a slice of Government House grounds. He thought thosA present should strenuously oppose this. (Applause.) The land belonged to the people, and should be kept for the people, not handed over to a privileged class. (Applause.) The whole thing was unfair. In this connection, however, he felt proud to be able to say that their college had plenty of ground for many years to come and when the brothers in charge wanted more, they would get it. (Applause.)