ECHOES OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 23

ECHOES OF THE WEEK.

Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run amuck and tilt at ail I meet. Pote,

BY SCRUTATOR.

Poor “Sir Pat” has gone at last, after many weary weeks of fighting the great Destroyer, and in Wellington much genuine regret is being expressed. He was a genial, kind-hearted man was Sir Patrick, although at times ho could bo brusque to tho verge of apparent rudeness. As a politician ho was certainly not a genius. He had little originative power and was often, I fancy, not a little out of touch and sympathy with the progressive policy which is very properly insisted upon by the Now Zealand democracy, but in the Upper House and in his piloting through of Government measures, which were often very unpalatable to many of his fellow Councillors, ho exhibited great tact. In early days he was much better known in Wellington than ho was of late, and it says much for the many good points in his character that his old friends were his best friends.

Dr Pollen, whose death is also reported, was a quaint compound of sound comnionsense, which often found expression in incisive, delightfully witty language and a “ pornickettiness ” which is more in keeping with a Scotch than an Irish origin. Ho was a wonderfully wellread, well-informed man, and although now and then his Toryism took a decidedly reactionary form, and ho used his undoubted talents of wit and satire as weapons with which to mako some rather unjust attacks on modern democratic doctrines ho was rarely bitter and certainly never discourteous towards an opponent, which is nioro than can be said of so many of the more prominent latter day Conservatives. As to his wit, it was unapproachable. When tho late Mr Mantell died, we heard a good deal of that gentleman’s humour but Mr Mantell was given to puns —the weakest form of humour —whereas Dr Pollen’s wit flashed out without tho slightest suspicion of its being manufactured It bubbled irrepressibly from the old gentleman like a spring of naturally effervescent water. Ho was a good true colonist who [did yeoman’s service in his day in various public positions.

Oom Paul, like all Dutchmen, is credited with keeping a keen eye on the main chance and I shall not be surprised if, after some decent delay, he will accede to tho petition of tho Uitlander leaders and accept a good round sum, cash down, in commutation of tho sentences of imprisonment which havo been passed on the poor foolish tools, whom the artful, but not sufficiently artful, Mr Rhodes used to further his own ends and ambitions.

Talking about Kruger, I would direct the attention of my readers to tho Character Sketch of “Oom Paul” which appears iti tho April number of tho Review of Reviews (Australasian oditiou). It places the cases both for tho Boer and the Uitlander very fully, and on tho wholo very fairly, before tho reader, and exhibits a very shrewd and certainly most interesting insight into the personality of the grim old Puritan who has done so much to break down Biitisli rule in South Africa. Ho is not a lovable old fellow by any means; ho is full of crotchets and prejudices and ignorance, but it is impossible not to admiro his strength of will, the simplicity of his life, and to givo him credit for an honesty of purpose which almost excuses tho narrowness of his vision. That narrowness is no doubt largely due to his environment, but be that as it may, he is a strong man within his limitations, and strong enough of will to bo a very dangerous enemy to British power. Mr .Stead does nut think Kruger over “ thought of doing more than playing off the German against the British.” He was, to use his own simile, “only a child crawling round tho feet of great men. When kicked from one side, it tried to avoid being kicked from the other.”

“ But, as Mr Stead very accuaatcly points out.” The Germans, however, had designs of their own. The ancient Britons who sought German help against the Piets and” tho Scots after the Romans evacuated the land found that it was easier to bring tho German in than to turn him out; and our experience might easily havo been that of the Boors. From that, however, they were saved by Jameson’s raid, and tho stout resistance offered by Portugal to the landing of German marines at Delagoa Bay. But for tho wise policy of Lord Rosebery in conciliating tho Portuguese, and so inposing an insuperable barrier between tho Germans and the Transvaal, we might at this moment have been at war with Germany. No more madcap project than that of thrusting a handful of German marines into tho Transvaal in order to establish a quasi-protectorate over the South African Republic can bo imagined, Compared with this precious

scheme, Dr Jameson’s raid was a prosaic piece of practical politics. As to tho future Mr Stead, as is usual with that gentleman, does not scruple to give Oom Paul some good advice, but as ho himself admits, the Boer President is hardly likely to follow the “good man’s” counsel.

Under the heading of “ What Kruger Should Do,” Mr Stead says:—

Therein lies his great temptation. If ho had but been statesman enough to disarm his opponents by timely concessions, lie would not havo found much difficulty in welding Uitlander and Boer into a homogeneous Republic. But there is this strong race hatred, there is the instinctive opposition to a policy of adventure, and the strong religious objection to the godless alien. So Paul Kruger has gone on the same lino as tho Sultan of Turkey, whom he resembles in many ways, with tho result that ho has achieved, like the Shadow of God at Stainboul, an immediate personal victory at the cost of ultimate extinction. For the situation, as it is left by the collapse of the “ bloody complot ’’—surely the most milk-and-water conspiracy known to history—is clearly impossible. But there seems to be little hope of the President taking tho bravo and statesmanlike course of proclaiming a general amnesty, giving Johannesburg a good municipality, and allowing naturalisation after live years’ residence. Vet nothing short of that will deliver tho South African Republic from the perpetual fret of revolutionary discontent.

The only remark I need make on the above is that if “Oom Paul” continues to be overruled by his British-detesting, narrow-minded fellow-countrymen, and refuses to give reforms at Johannesburg, then tho time is not far distant when ho will have to be tackled in real earnest by John Bull and compelled to do justice to the Uitlanders. An English comic paper crystallises the ideas held by a good many Englishmen as to Mr Chamberlain’s present policy. “ Oom Paul ” is represented as a tough old pig, which is standing near, but refuses to be led into a road marked “ Civilisation.” The great Joseph is attempting tocoax the animal, and underneath the sketch are the words: “It isn’t much use coaxing, Joseph; you’ll do nothing without twisting his tail.” But tho tailtwisting operation, if over it has to be performed, will cost John Bull much blood and treasure. For tho sake of everybody concerned—Boers, British, Uitlanders and Oom Paul himself-—let us hope that the latter will not persist in his present attitude.

I am heartily glad to notice that tho would-bo wreckers (intentional or otherwise) of our national system of “ free, secular and compulsory” education—to wit, the advocates of tho introduction into our schools of tho Irish Text Book—are not being allowed to have everything their own way. Thoso who were present at tho meeting of tho Citizens’ Institute held on Monday last, when Mr A. It. Atkinson read a paper on “ Bible-reading in Schools,” had a great treat. I have many a time and oft tilted my lance against Mr Atkinson’s Prohibition theories, but on this occasion and subject I am most heartily at ono with him. The paper was a thoughtful, logical, eloquent and most conclusive reply to tho enemy, and I am only echoing the opinion of a large number of thoso present at the Exchange Hall on Monday in suggesting that Mr Atkinson should have it printed in pamphlet form. Ho proved beyond a scintilla of doubt that so far from tho introduction of this liisli Text Book being likely to further the spread of truo religion, it would have precisely the opposite effect.

It is claimed by some of those who advocate tho introduction of this book into our schools, but who assuredly cannot possibly bo acquainted with its contents, that practically no explanation will be required of the teachers in whose hands it is placed. But this is not tho case. How, for example, can a teacher be fairly expected to askquestions (such are to bo found at the end of the lessons in this precious Irish Text book) which ask for definitions of such terms as “ redemption,” “ regeneration ” and “ the elect.” “ Who are the elect f” is ono question. Well, that is a question upon which, as wo know full well, uot two Churches or sects aro ever agreed. The “elect” of ono sect aro tho “ damned ” of another, and Heaven help the unfortunate teacher who is courageous—or foolishenough to attempt a definition of who aro the truly faithful and chosen.

As to tho absurdity of endeavouring to explain to young children the meaning of such words as “ redemption,” “ regeneration,” Ac., I may quote, from memory, a little story told by Mr Jamo3 Inglis, of New South Wales, in one of his books dealing with Scots’ character and humour. Mr Inglis tells how a “ meenisler ” was on ono occasion catechising a class and eventally carno to a bright little lad, Jamie Anderson I think his name was, whom ho askod to explain tho meaning of being 11 born again.” 110 could get

nothing but a stolid “Naa” from tho little chap, and so explained the meaning at some length, after which he asked tho lad, “ Wadna ye like to bo born again,’ Jamie Anderson. “ Naa,” replied tho youngster. “ And why wadna ye like to be born again,” Jamie Anderson ? There was a long pause, and finally with downcast face and in almost a whisper came the reply, “ Because, Mr Mecnistor, I micht be born a lassie!” So much for endeavouring to explain theological terms to tho juvenile mind.

To my mind ono of tho first and worst results of tho Bible-reading (with explanations), if ever introduced into our schools, which I hope, pray and firmly believe it will never be, will bff tho creation of discord and bad feeling amongst the parents. Let ns take for example tho case of a country township of say 800 to 1000 in population. Wo will call it Bushtown for example. Well, Bushtown lias an Anglican congregation, a Methodist congregation (probably two varieties, for Methodist union is not yet accomplished) a Baptist congregation, and a few odds and ends in the way of Christadelphians, Tlieosophists, Spiritualists, Salvation Army, Ac., Ac. We will suppose the School Committee election has come round and that this Bible reading (and explanation) system is in force. What will happen. Why this — If tho Anglicans aro in a majority in Hushtown, tho local committee will bo composed or mostly composed of members of that body; if, on tho other hand, the Presbyterians are most numerous, then the committee will bo true blue Presbyterians, and so on through all the various sects. Whichever denomination has the majority that denomination will assuredly rule the roost on tho local committee. Very well, now wo will go a step further. The time arrives when the Bushtown school wants a new master. The Education Board sends to tho committee the names of certain teachers and it now devolves upon tho committee to select a master therefrom. Can anyone believe otherwise than that an Anglican committee would choose a teacher who is a member of that church, ora Presbyterian committee a Presbyterian, or a committee where tho Methodists were in a majority, a gentleman who was of that faith. Most certainly tho teacher selected will bo the man whose religious views (or alleged religious views) will be in accordance with thoso held by tho committeo. It will no longer be a question of whether tho successful applicant lias or has not a highclass certificate, a question of his teaching experience and teaching ability. No, tho first, foremost, and chief question will he, is he a ■member of our church and one who will explain tho passages in Ihe lexl book according to the Hold in which such passages are viewed by the leaders of our church ?

It will be said, no doubt, that I am taking an extreme view, that I am not giving school committeemen credit for being able to take a broad-minded view of tho situation, but I reply that it is only in accordance with the dictates of human nature that a committee representing a majority of tho peoplo of one particular denomination will and must be expected to act in the manner I have described. And does any sane person believe that it is in the interests of tho education of our children that sectarianism should govern tho selection of tho men who aro to teach them !"

Of course not, and not only will thocause of education suffer, and suffer very severely, but an element of discoid will be introduced into our social life, especially in tho country townships, the consequences of which aro bound to be evil. Also, we shall inevitably create a system of National Hypocrisy. Teachers in search of employment will bo tempted to ally themselves to somo particular church or sect for the purpose of getting a school. You may say that I am treating the New Zealand teachers unfairly in assuming that they will sacrifice their independence of thought and allow themselves to become the tools and slaves of any religious sect; but again I say that human naturo is human nature, and that thero is nothing unreasonable in assuming that a teacher who has to provide for his wife and family will be sorely tempted into temporary subservienco to and acceptation of a clerical domination in order to provide those nearest and dearest to him with the means of existence.

I am firmly convinced that a large proportion of thoso who,havo signed petitions in favour of the Irish Text Book havo never seen nor mastered the contents of that work, and I fear, also, that few of them havo carefully thought out what the ultimate consequences of its introduction will bo. If they will only “ read, mark, learn and inwardly digest ” the contents of that text book, and thoroughly consider what will be the effect of its introduction, they will, I feel sure, regret that they were ever tempted into lending an car to those who solicited their signatures. I have said

nothing to-day ns to ono effect of tho Bible in school system, namely, the inevitable control over tho teacher and his methods which will bo exercised by tho particular parsons of the particular sects which have a majority in any school district, but my readers, especially those in tho country, will, I feel sure, agree with mo that it is highly unadviaiblo that tho local teacher should ever be under the thumb of tho local parson. If such is to be his fate, then Heaven help the teacher, and, alas, for our education system!