WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1895.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10444, 21 August 1895, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1895.

De Belcher is weir qualified by ability and knowledge to speak' upon matters relating to education,. and /he was in much, of what he had to say at his best at: .the Dunedin Parliamentary Union

on Friday night. It seems to us, as 'We shall subsequently show, that he failed to indicate a way. by, which secondary education might be made free in Otago at the present time; but ■ the theoretic . side of the question, the general principle, was treated in a powerful and effective' fashion, -full of information and generous feeling. The uniqji was asked to agree that "no system of national -education is satisfactory which does not provide for-re-education from the primary school to the university." There is plenty of room for argument on the subject,' and no one need be ashamed of holding that New Zealand, as a State, goes quite far enough in regard to the free provision of education at the present time. It m*y be urged that the spirit of enterprise and responsibility in both parent and child would be weakened by further concessions; that large numbers of unsuitable persons would go in for advanced education; that "equality .of opportunity ", ~can never L really be/ given, seeing that, in order to effect this, the State would' have to provide maintenance during the years of education. As a matter of fact, equality of opportunity is almost as much an impossibility as that natural equality the idea of which Dr Belcher forcibly! ridicules. Again, in regard to the .need : of a highly-educated democracy in these i days of democratic power, it. is obviou.3 that secondary and university education, free or not, will-never fall to the lot of the 'majority of the people :an intellectual aristocracy may be formed in the democracy—hardly more. Still, we are quite prepared to agree that the larger the number of well-educated people in the State the better is it for the general welfare and political safety, and though we cannot allow that the State has an absolute duty in the matter, or that the individual has a right, we recognise that the State is justified in spending its surplus money in multiplying the number of highly educated persons.- Free secondary education is merely an extension—the logical conclusion, as some people would say—-of a State scholarship system. Dr Belcher does not love the scholarship system, though we are glad to observe that his special criticism does not relate to the working of the New Zealand system. Scholarships have certainly enabled many boys and girls in this colony to get higher education who would not otherwise have obtained it, and we shall presently show that Dr Belcher's plan of ways and means, which includes the abolition of scholarships, would involve grave injustice to a large number of those whom the scholarship system now assists. Mean-

wliile^ we are not inclined to raise objections to the principle of free education provided that financial difficulties can be overcome.

Turning to the question of ways ancl means, By Belchkr sketched a plan by which, ho thinks, education at the local high schools might at any time be made freo. The Otago Education Board has -31269 per annum at its disposal for scholarships, and in the board's schools there are 625 children oyer 15 years of age,' for each of whom the Government- allow £3 15s 6d. Here is a sum of £3650, and " he believed, if that money was added to the existing endowments for high schools here, that it would set the whole high school education free in this place." The fees at the Otago High Schools amount to something under £3000 per annum, so that, on the surface, the plan seems feasible enough. But a little further "consideration shows that serious weaknesses attach to it. In the first place a gross injustice would be done to country children. It would be impossible to scatter high schools up and down Otago: yet by no other means could the "scheme be made a fair one.: Ofthe 625 children over 15 years of' age in the board's schools a large proportion attend the country schools, many of them in very but-of-the'-way places. Would these children be served by making the Dunedin High; Schools .free? Nay, their condition would be injured: the Government grant would be taken away, and their present chance of getting a scholarship would be: taken away also; You cannot plant a high school within easy distance of every primary school, and we can see no possible justification for . robbing; country children in order to make things easier for the children of the towns. And it would be robbery pure and simple. Dr Belcher appears to have left the country districts out of his purview; yet surely the rural, as well as the urban democracy ".should be, ; ,an enlightened and .. highly educated democracy." In an earlier part of his speech pr ' Belcher spoke, as follows:—" What, 'then, did equality mean ? . It meant clearly equality -,bf opportunities-; ;it meant an attempted development'of retributive justice •it meant man's attempt to correct, the defects of nature; by'the application of his experience and :his art to 'these matters, and, therefore, to that extent it was a distinct arid deliberate attempt to reduce the inequalities of nature sp that Aye should have equal opportunities if we did not possess equal gifts. That -really'was the fundamental principle: that lay., at the bottom of democracy and at; the bottom of the whole -of this Equality of opportunities!, What has the country child to say ? This is the most serious objection to the scheme, but there 'is at least one more that is ■'~> wor thy of, -notice, j It is that if, in the case of- the'-schools becoming free, there were jTto' -be, a .great addition to the number of pupils, the question of ways:"and means would become more serious: teaching staffs woiild have to be strengthened, buildings would have to be enlarged. The doctor's answer to this objection, if Aye, gather it aright, is-.-very remarkable. Judging by the analogy of the primary schools, he asserts that there is no likelihood of an increased attendance of this kind: parents being only too ready to. take theiV, children away from school at an early age. "That went; to"' -show thati,';;i.h' 'the" present temper of New Zealand,. i£ our high schools and universities were opened to-morrow, they would not.be very much fuller than they 'were now." Surely this is a.somexvhat pitiful anticlimax to all the generous talk about the enlightenment oi; the democracy ! It comes to this :" that the high schools; to say nothing of the universities', are to be set free for the convenience of those who now utilise; them. A certain number of pai'enis can afford >to give their children secondary education: henceforth the State as to relieve these parents of the, necessity of putting their: hands, into 'their pockets— the relief being given at the expense of countiy children. We can only say that it is a poor sort of consummation. Is this the project that is going to "solve the difficulties and complexities that are identified with our civilisation"? What l)r Belcher says in effect is this : " Offer the people these advantages; you can do so safely, from a financial point of view, because they won't avail • themselves, of your offer." In short, the'plan could "only be saved from financial failure by proving a failure in every other respect.

Ko; if secondary and university education' be made free, the step must be taken with a direct view to inducing at least a large number of people to avail thei-Bclves of the advantages offered. ' The practical and financial arrangements must be complete, so that there/,-may be a hopeful expectation, not a troubled apprehension, of a largo accession oh the part of the children of the democracy. Those arrangements must be. based on justice, on "equality of opportunities •":. -there .muet be no pampering- of the towns at "the expense of the country. We do not think that any practicable scheme is available at ■■ present; certainly the proposals which we have been noticing do. not supply the, necessities of the

case ; but for all that, Dr Bblchee has done good service in quickening the thoughts or the community in regard to a subject of much and increasing interest. '

In the Legislative Council and tho House of Representatives yesterday an interim report by the Joint.Committee on the Bank of Now Zealand and tho Estates Company, recommending that tbo proceedings- should be secret, was agreed to. The Council addsd the names of Messrs Ormond, Walker, and Jennings to the committee, while tha Hoose added the names of Messrs Pinkerton, Millar, and Fr_ser.

The debate on the Financial Statement was brought to a conclusion in the House of Representatives last evening.-,. Ifc w _ s decided to disagree with tbe Council's amendments in the Family Homes Protection BiU iiad the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, and to agres with those made in the Evidence Farther Amendment Bill, Native Townships Bill, and Animals' Protection Bill. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Ac's Amendment Bill was read a second tima pro forma.

At 9.20 "hurt ni&t Mr Psulm advised m — " Light to moderata S.V/. to N.W. winds, ud fine for about 2.4 hours ; barometer unsteady."

We understand that Canon Diggens, who is at present on a vi.it to Bngland, has received the ofier of an appointment thfire, aad is likely to resign charge of the parish of St. John's, Roslyn, to accept tho appointment.

The Roy.-Mr Resdy, cbahman ofthe Bible Cnrwtian Ohurch Conference, bas received a cablegram intimating that tha Eoglish Conference has consented to the union of the colonial cburch Tf ith the Methodists.

At a sitting of the Supreme Court in Chambers yesterday, his Honor Mr Justice Williams decided in tbe case of the Southland-Frozen Meat Company v. Nelson Bros, that the plaintiff company should give security to the amount of £350 for the defondints' costs in the event of the defendants being successful in the action. The security is to be to the satisfaction of the regiitrar at liivei.-cargill, and is to be given withia 14 days, otherwise all proceedings are to be stayed. Mr Sim, solicitor,for the plain'iff company, stated that the company were in a position to give security, so the other si«'ip i cad hot think they were going to stop the

Ab the usual meeting of the Roslyn Parliamentary Union, held laat eveuing, Mr Kemnitz, the Spsaker.-was in the cluir. It was proposed by Mr Sullivan—"That legislation should bs introduced to provide better, accommodation for farm servants;" Messrs A. B. Bone, W. Coull, Eraser, J. D. Hay, Wilsou, Mellor, and P. Z. Moore took part iri. the debate, after which the motion waa loot by _ majority of eight. ':■-■.■■ A public meeting was held in the Drill ;Hall, Sandymount,,on Monday njgbt last, to discuss the Government Licensing. Bill, the Rev. A. Gceig occupying the chair. After several speakers had addressed the maeting.rthe following resolution .was , proposed and unanimously agreed to :—" That this meeting, hwing heard an explanation of fche two Licensing Bills now before:. Parliament, urges Mr Green, M.H.R. for the district, to support the principles of Mr M'Nab's bill^ aud that,! as'the Premier will hot offer facilities for the passage of Mr M-Nab's bill, B£r Green be asked to support such amendments ia the Premier's bill' as wiU introduce into it the main principles of Mr.M'Nab's measure.".' Mr Stewart was requested to forward, copies, of the. resolution to the Premier and Mr Green. The usual meeting of the High street School Committee, held last-evening, Was attended by Messrs Melvin (in the chair), Fleming, Gilrnour, Farnie, Lunn, Walker, Melville, and ■ Jelly. It. was decided to .defer consideration of tenders for the fives court till next meeting. The head master reported that: the average attendance for tbe month was 605. The deposits in the -penny savings bank amounted to £10 lis lOd, and the .withdrawals to £10 8s 6d. He. expressed pleasure at the .regular attendance o? scholars, there not .being., one' truant on the roll In connection with the. recent esaminat on it was decided to place on record the committee's appreciation of the teaching "stiff.--^t was decided to instruct the delegates to the ! Schools Committees' Conference to vota for Mr Fraer's' motion re geatxts to commiit=es. The matter, of repairs to the head master's residence was referred to the Works Committee. Mt stis Farnie-and Lunn were appointed the Visiting Committee .for the month. A. vote of thanks was passed to Measrs Purdie^ and Grant for donations of shrubs, &q. for Arbor Dsy. Accounts for £14- lis 4d werep_3sed for payment. The Southern Standard states that Mt Ljtfcle has received word from Mr M'Nab, M.H.R. for Mataura, to the effect that a bill would be introduced this session whereby dairy faotories would be assisted out of the Government Advances to Settlers Act. • ; The rolls in connection with the election of the railway boards of appeal have been circulated. The election takes place as soon affcer the 31st inst. as possible. ■ There was a good attendance ai St..Mary's Hall, Morningto_,rJast night; when Mr W„then repeated'his illustrated, lecture on "Female Characters in the Works of Shakespeare." Various Bcenes were given by Miss Young, Miss Annie La,-..Br,iin, .aod, Miss Hueston. The Rev. M; Bowden presided. On the motion of Mi Smytbies't.bo unusual compliment of cheers was accbrded^the performers: The death. is'announced, at Naseby of Mr Walter Morgan, at the age of 69 years. Mr Morgan was an old Victorian. Arriving in (hit colony in 1852, he.made his way to taegoldfields. He was at the.Forest. Cceek rush, and on the M'lvor diggings at the time of the escort robbery which created so much excitement. ~ He; waR also at White Hills, MarlborOugh, at an exciting period,),when a constable and aman named Lopus were shot. Ho came over to Otago in 1862,"and, has resided in the district; ever since his arrival. .... . > : ~ '-, ■ In connection with the Union services, the Rev. J. J. Lewis will preach in the Garrison Hall on Sunday morning on the ''Reunion of Christendom," and in the evening, in Trinity Church, on ".The Revival that Saved Out Fatherland" ■'■■'•"' At the City HaU this evening The Royal Irish Dramatic'Company'will produce for the firat ti no c during their season Dion Boucicault's mastarpiecs, the favourite Irish drama " Ar.-ah-na-Pogue," with an efficient cast and appropriate scenery. Mr Barrie Mdrschsl's performances of Irish charactera, are so well,known here,' and his impersonation of this particular part has been so highly1 tu'ogised by the press generally,'that his appearance as Shaun-the. Post will be watched witli much interest. , Mr Dobson will appeal ss the humorous aad good-natured O'Grady/ Miss Mowbray aa ths impulsive Fanny Power, and Miss Irene Carlyon, a clever and piquante actress who is rapidly building up an enviable reputation* will for the first time court criticism in the name part of ihe piece—Arrah-na-Pogae.

The annual general meetiDg of the Otago Cycling Club will be heldt-is'evehing. ; A notice to. the creditors of the Cromwell Gold Company (Limited) app jars in this issue. ..-.-■■ In connection with the Industrial ISxhibitionto be held at Chrktchu'rch cheap excursion tickets to tbat city will be - issued from. 28th to 31st Ausmet, available for return up to and including 9tb September. The Farmers' Agoncy Company (Limited) will hold a tale of stock at Clinton on Friday. Msssrs James Samson1 and Co. will sell furniture, Ac. to-morrow. An extraordinary general meeting-of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company (LitriitmO will be heid in the Chamber of Commerce on the 2Sth hist ..;• ,;..-' .: . ; ~: - Acknowledgments of prompt settlement by the 1 Live Stock Geueral.lnsurarice Company appear in another column.The Rev. W. Hewitson will take the chair at the lecture to be givnn in tbo City Hall on. Friday Vby tt-'c llev. Mr Gray Dixon. Mr Dixon's residence of four years in Japan will enable Mm to sueak of the country in sn interesting manner, and the limelight views will embrace scenery of old, and new Japan, as well as scenes of the late war.. The llev. W. Ksady (by the special request of many) will repeat his famous lecture "From London Streets to tha Pulpit, or the Stnry of My Life." in the Garrison Hall, on Tuesday/next. This lecture wa3 some time ago given 'in the City Hall, when the hall was packed, many baing unable to gain admission. Mr Ready will on this occasion illustrate the whole story—how an AraD boy go;; to Miiller's Orphanage, Bristol, and then to the pulpit—with limelight views. Already over 3000 tickets are' scattered over the city, several of Mr Ready's congregation haviug sold about 60 each.' A large house is expected. • Mr P. Nevlon, an elderly gentleman, who resides in Walker street,-differed for over a-year with Hver complnint and indigestion. He toolc Loasby's " Wahoo," and was cured in four days with less than one bottle. 2s 6d. Grocers and chemists.—[Advt.] We would respectfully request intending pa' rons to our Tailoring Denartment to order aa early m the season as possible, and so save disappomtmeat. W. and R. Scott.-[Abvt,] • . _W.r_ Kidd and Co.. turgical aud mechanical dentists notify that they have commenced business opposite Cargill's Monument, Princes st.-tADVT.J Messrs A. nnd J. -I'Fxfti-NK beg to "*ll action to their advertisement over the leader. A_y orders entrusted tb them'will receive ; the bast attention.—[ADVT.] .-■ ; ■ - a , Mollison and ' o.'s annual sale now on. _<.nd for price list of 12 pages. Post free. Mollison and Co., drapers and clothiers, .195 and 197 George sti est. lmnedir..—[Advt.]. _. John Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, ii Princes street. The oldest established house in towu. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, aud Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.—[Advt ] , ■ .- ■ Special display of sterling silver and elcctro-silvfr-pUted boo_s in G. and T. YOUNG'S window. 88 Princes street. It is worth seeing.—l Anvr-j P u bKoNotice.-New Lal«l.-Owir^ to our registered sodawater label beicg so exteusiv-el. imitated by other makers, wo h»ve been cou polled to agaiu alter the colour of our soda label to a bro vu iosteadofa blue colour. Thomson am.Co^.supply the Duna-ln and Wellington flospita 1 and im Union Company's entire fleet *»*«"" P«« crystal soda SpeciaUy prepared wda»a^» for invalids, prescribed by .phy««fM»* + ,«?J £*£%& and -.vhole-ome action in assmnlating with miU and other nutritious liquids.-IADVT.j

•RniTnwAv'<s Pills.—Weak Stomach. — The wifeXot omSte one quarter of the dis tr-Sn? wmptoms" arising from imperfect or diseveiy other orsan, i *UJ enables it to conthat h_iKhy to; lY^;4 to *tu e nourishment of vert all we eat ana aiuuv. c,, lri >,f our bodies Hence these nils aie tne burtst oui oouiut,. , gafest restoratives in S fcrengtheners..and t»- sa nwvousnass, wasunb. ~j remeAica for ; m paired ft'^&J* symptoms which render the ; -^oSs^nt indeed. These Mis ; are approved by all classes. .sn _