ARCHDEACON MAUNSELL ON DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5269, 8 January 1879, Page 3

ARCHDEACON MAUNSELL ON DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

(Pee Pbess Association Special Wire.)

Auckland, January 6th. The Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, LL.D., de. livered a sermon in St. Mary's, Parnell, upon denominational schools. He opposed the de nominational system of education —first, because under it the children of different persuasions would be alienated, and trained to mutual misconception and hostility j second, because denominations of small number would be left without an efficient system, and would go to the wall. In districts where no denomination is strong enough, the whole would accept the Government school; but what would be the result when one denomination grew strong enough to adopt the other system ? The other grounds on which he objected to the denominational system were that under that system, as formerly in operation in this Colony, false rettirns were sent in upon which an excessive share of subsidy was secured. In fact, those who could lie most received the largest share of public money. There was also great misappropriation of funds, the moneys paid by the Government for the maintenance of teachers and schools being devoted to church purposes. This led to inferior schools and starving schoolmasters. The rev. gentleman showed the vast superiority of the secular system over the deEominational system, and pointed to the fine uildirigs'now erected and Jn course of erection in various school districts, the efficiency of inspection, and the establishment of classes for teachers at which many hundreds have received the best training.