STATE AND EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 6

STATE AND EDUCATION

Sir,—l have little time to waste with an opponent who misquotes me on essentials, ignores appeals to discuss principles before problems of application, and drags in irrelevancies. I am encouraged to proceed, however, by a curiosity as to what he will say next. What infinite possibilities are within the range of a Christian who thinks that ques' /s o( the nature of man can be dismiss.d by a smart quip about water pumps! A less rigid Thomist than “Presbyterian Elder” might feel that this was pressing the analogy of being a trifle far. „ „ The professional no-popery of Bishop Oxnam, Dr Morrison’s senile vapouring s on United States constitutional history, all the rest of ’’Protestants and Other Americans United'’ —what in heavens name have they to do with the point at issue? If Franco is a tyrant, is that an argument for injustice in New Zealand? Of what avail to snivel perfidious Albion” at Lloyd George? Why the song and dance because a small minority in the Belgian Parliament share Mentor’s ” view? Even Socialists can Support Roman Catholic schools only! I hardly mentioned them and the omission was deliberate. I think and said that if the principle of State aid to private schools were accepted it would have to be applied on a wider basis. 1 even suggested what such a basL> might be Perhaps " Presbyterian Elder could at'least read this letter before ’ answerer! efly, the issue Is this: Most Christians think that man has an immortal soul whose destiny is of some importance. If that is so, it is difficult to see how they can maintain that the modern State, which is exclusively concerned with man as a political animal, can be tho sole authority in education. Most also believe that there exists in the universe a natural moral order, "discoverable by reason, according to which men must act if they are to attain the necessary ends of their nature.” It is said that under such an order the right of education rests primarily with the parents. These propositions may or may not be true, but no one may logically oppose State aid to church schools until he has refuted them. The rational solution is not brought nearer by peeking under tho bed and screaming “ Romanism ” at shadows—l am, etc., P. S. O’Connor.