SECULAR EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7023, 11 January 1910, Page 6

SECULAR EDUCATION

ITO th2 Editor ' X.Z. Times.”) Sir, —I notice in your issue of Ct.h inst. that ‘‘Aristobulus” is again on the warpath, this time in reply to .Mr Gammell’s able Jotter regarding the .action of a minority (happily) of the Wellington Education Board in. attempting sidewise to introduce “Bible” teaching into the State schools. "Aristobulus” accuses Mr Gammell of exaggeration, but docs not say where or how, and assumes with saintlike complacency that ho is a nonChristian. Very Christliko that is, certainly! The Christianity of “Aristobulus” appeals more to the emotions than to common-sense and justice, and that is a disease which he, et (hoc genus omne, have been afflicted with since Adam was a boy. His whole rhetorical rodomontade •when boiled down simply amounts tb this; “That in order to achieve tne great (to him) end, the Education ■Board would have been quite justified in breaking the la.w as it stands.” “Bo a little evil that good may m suit,” and quotes Antigone's case in justification. This looks all very nice at first glance, but if such tactics are once admitted as a precedent, is “Aristobulus” competent to draw the line? He claims to be a. Christian, hut there are Christians and Christians; even rational Christians who might bog to differ from this learned pundit. Permit me, sir, to furnish “Aristobulus” with an illustration not from the realms of mythology, but from the stern everyday life in this Bominion which came under my oWn observation, showing the danger of placing power in the hands of even conscientious men, who can become unscrupulous ■under temptation. A lady teacher in a certain school outside the Wellington district was objected to by several .parents, because she was a Homan Catholic. They approached the chairman of committee, whoso position depended on their “block vote.” The chairman interviewed the headmaster, and suggested that some frivolous charge should bo raised against, the ■lady teacher, and that she be thus got rid of. The headmaster objected and (laid the matter before the inspector, who, to his honour, nipped the nice little plot in the Dud. “Aristobulus” would have damned this lady professionally. Cui bono? (Simply to satisfy the bigotry of a certain sect of Christians, who are always ready to pronounce “anathema” on all who differ from them. (That dire disease again!) The lady referred to holds a high position in the Dominion ito-day. This is no fairy tale, but stern fact, and it shows to what “vile” stratagems these gentry will descend to gain their ends. Another development of the system has come to light—-since the committees' powers have been shorn to baroness it has been the practice of (the board to sand the names of several ■applicants, but the testimonials of ■only one, thus leaving the committee with no option but to appoint the hoard’s nominee. This' was done in a certain school lately and the successful (?) candidate was known both to the board and committee as a “preaching teacher.” How'ever, the committee had to swallow Min. How long 'are the ratepayers of tMs democratic |(?) Bominion to submit to this? I The tactics of the Bible-in-school party are peculiar and ingenious. If by (manes their favourite is returned 'at a committee election, they tear up hthe voting papers at once. They do ijiot care a straw that the committee 'must consist of five, seven or nine members. Oh, no! they simply ©rase If. ho names of all the others on the voting paper except that of their nominee. ■This may bo legal, but it is “block ivotiug” nevertheless. ’ “Aristobulus” says there can be no 'place till his favourite “ism” be introduced into our State schools, and os a Christian ho claims as a right, forsooth, that his children should receive religious instruction in the school, because the Act is compulsory. I deny him any such right. The State has decided, and wisely so, that every child shall be taught what is necessary to fit it for the practical battle of life, and that it shall mot grow up in ignorance as in years "gone by, when the Church ruled the 'State; but it is no part of the State’s duty to teach that child the dogmas or beliefs of any sect; and, sir, where Hire all sects here? There is no State church, thank God, nor ever will be in |Hhis Bominion, although the Bible-in-bohools party are doing their best to (bring about its equivalent, in shifting the responsibility from the clergy te the already heavy-weighted shoulders of the teachers in the State schools of tMs Bominion. I hope some abler pen than mine, will take this matter up in your valuable paper where, to your honour, you admit all shades of opinion short of libel, with a _ patience ■ Which is admirable, and which I assure you is much .appreciated. Men like Messrs Gammell and Aitken (re election of Education- Boards) deserve the thanks of the community in this (fight against ecclesiastical bigotry, land the public require rousing on these ■points.—l am, etc., OBSERVER. January 10th.