BISHOP MORAN ON THE CATHOLIC GRIEVANCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4094, 24 December 1887, Page 4

BISHOP MORAN ON THE CATHOLIC GRIEVANCE.

♦ At the annual distribution cf prizja in connection with the Christian Brotbers's School, Danedio, Bishop Motsn spoke as follows: "This school, aa well as all other Catholic schools in New Zealand baa been carried on nnder great difficulties, and although it renders as good service to the Stats and to Society as the public schools, it ia not only not assisted by the State, but is absolutely ignored by it Here, in this neighborhood, within a radios of a quarter of a mile, the Government of the country has established four schools, one a high school for boys, soother a high school for girls, a third an ordinary public school, the fourth the Normal School for Osago. All these schools hare been bnilt by the public; two of them are entirely supported by the pablie, and the other two have large endowments given chiefly by the public. All these schools have a recognised place In the education system cf the colony, and eojoy the benefits arising from such recognition and the numerous scholarships endowed by the pablie. Contrast all this with out position . The Catholics of this town have erected four schools, which edacate at present 700 children. Oar schools have no place in the system of pablie education and no share in the scholarships provided by the public, and are shot oat from all the advantages afforded by the system of education established by Government. But whilst the Government does not forget to extract money from tis to help to support their system of education, it absolutely ignores these excellent Catholic schools which you have established at yonr own sole expense without any cost to the Government, and which you maintain without any cost to the State. This Is an extraordinary state of things, and goea to show that although the penal laws have been repealed in the Old Country, the colonies in this nineteenth century are not without their penal laws. A dispassionate man would expect that of all the people iu the colonies, the Catholics, as deserving best of Government, should have received the greatest encouragement and help for their schools. It is not so, however. The people who have made no effort and no sacrifice for the education of their children hare provided for them by the Government free education at the public expense, whilst the Catholics, who made and are making the greatest sacrifices for education, are ignored, and not only that, bnt refused any aid even out of the moneys they are compelled to contribute towards the free education of other people's children. This conduct on the part of Government and the Legislature is indefensible. The only excuse offered for such a crying injustice is the plea that the pablie schools are as open to Catholics as to others. This excuse, however, amounts to a claim on the part of Parliament, that Catholics should absodon their religious principles. Surely, if Catholics do not avail themselves of the public schools, and provide schools for themselves, the} should not be taxed for what is of no use whatever to them; and if they are compelled to pay for education, this education should be that which their own children receive, and not that which is given to other people's children. The treatment of Catholics as regards this matter is monstrously unjust. It is also unwise and Impolitic. lojaslice will sooner or later meet with- its chastisement, and every state that treats any section of its subjects uojastly is sure to meet in the long ran with the chastisement it has so richly deserved. It is justice that exalts a nation. See what a long-continued course of injustice has brought upon nations well known to the student of history. I have been long accustomed to raise my voice on occasions like the present to denounce the injustice, and to protest against it. Bat my words have been as the idle wind. Well, I may now ask : Is the conn try any _ the better, is it more prosperous for this Injustice? Education, godless education, we have been often told was to bring us all peace and prosperity. Has it done so ? has it done any of the things predicted of It? Let the stagnation of the hour, let the numbers of able-bodied men of the country weekly fleeing from it in search of even living, .let languishing trade and commerce answer. No ; no real good to .the country can come on' of a system founded in bigotry and propped by injustice. On the contrary, it is the most unjust system of education that has been mainlyinatrumental in bringing depression to every part of New Zealand. It has often been said—in many instances to be sure, by the ill-informed and'prejadiced—that Catholics are the enemies of education.' "" Catholics, however, are not disturbed by this calumny; they can afford •to laugh it to scorn. History vindicates them, and the people who cannot see the Innumerable proofs given by Catholics • throughout the world in the present day of their love and appreciation of real education, are Incapable of seeing anything, or -' even thinking a rational thought. Ido not entertain the hope that anything I can eay will produce the slightest impression on the majority of our legislators; nevertheless, I shall continue on your part to protest and to claim justice. It is onr right.