THE CATHOLICS AND THE EDUCATION BILL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 432, 15 September 1877, Page 3

THE CATHOLICS AND THE EDUCATION BILL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sir,—lt appears to me ttsat mistakes have been made by two parties in the matter of the Education Bill. The framers and their supporters are in the wrong for trying to pass a measure clearly unconstitutional ; and the Catholics are equally so for protesting against it in the way they have been doing. It must be understood that the Government of Great Britain a Protestant country —do not recognise the Boman Catholic religion officially, that is to say, not in the same manner as Germany—also a Protestant country—does. Therefore, in devising State measures, those belonging to that religion are not taken into consideration, except so far as the conservation or theirconstitutional liberties as British subjects is concerned. As this Bill would ride rough-shod over these liberties, it is most certainly unconstitutional.

This being the case, the Catholics of New Zt aland, instead of agitating the matter as they are now doing, have their remedy in applying to the Governor, as the representative of the head of the British' people, for relief from persecution. As British subjects they are entitled to this, and I venture to say as such they would get it. I am, &c, Protestant.