South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1883.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3133, 18 April 1883, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1883.

An accident occurred on the Albury line on Monday to the early train from Timaru. On being informed of it, we lost no time in asking the stationmaster at Timaru for information on the subject, but that gentleman intimated that bis orders were imperative not to divulge anything in such cases, and we bad therefore to fall back npon private sources for particulars. Now, we put it to onr readers whether the Department is justified in witbolding information in such cases—whether it is in keeping with their notions of democratic Government, . that the authorities should issue a ukase to their officials forbidding them to give information to the Press (and thereby to the public at large) of anything that transpires on the line* It certainly appears to ns a most unwarrantable piece of tyranny, that savours more of Russia than of a colony of the British empire, and it is, besides, unfair to the travelling public. If this sort of secresy is to be permitted, there is no saying what it may lead to. The most glaring abuses may exist and the most frightful malpractices may occur, and nobody be any the wiser. And yet we heard the Major on Monday night talking of “ democratic governmentl” No one can donbt that there 1 ought to be a speedy end to such secresy, for if the public eye is not continually on a Government or a Department, they will soon fall into indifference and carelessness. Of coarse it is hardly necessary to add that our strictures are not directed at Mr Jones, than whom there could not be a more courteous and obliging official.

The Anglican Synod have taken into very serious consideration the question of the education of the young ; and if the same zeal in the cause were manifested by the members of the communion at large as is exhibited in Synod debate, we might expect to see some conspicuous results. Such is not the case, however. The great body of the people are listless and apathetic in the matter ; and there is very little probability that the denominationalist forces will ever be sufficiently united and numerous to enable them to carry their point and restore the banished system of denominationalism. As we have before said, the community as a whole are quite convinced that the edict of banishment should be a perpetual one. But to our thinking, this opens np by no means so black a prospect to the sectaries as is generally thought. The institution .of the secular system has thrown the denominations back on their own resources, and in bodies as in individuals, the

true spirit shows itself when one is thrown entirely on one’s own resources. The Church of England in Ireland, never really lived until it was cut off from the State. Then it awoke from its lethargy, and its sleepy dependence on the public purse and bestirred itself to be a power in the land. We distinctly and persistently object to denominationalism, but we do heartily admire self-reliant efforts, and that success which is achieved by strenuous endeavor. If the denominations would, gather together on this question, clergy and laity, and establish schools, form teaching staffs for themselves, and bring up the standard of their secular teaching to that of the State schools, while interweaving with it such proportion of religious instruction as they choose, we should welcome such schools as the most admirable in the world. The thing is not one of the impossibilities, the .sects are numerous and have ample resources, and a great and sustained effort would accomplish this and compel admiration where now in their apathetic condition they too often induce contempt. The Roman Catholics may claim to have led the way in this crusade against the so called “ Godless system.” Why can no other church do likewise ? For our own part we deny that the secular system is in reality a “ Godless ” one, and we regard it as the best measure that could be devised for securing the community against ignorance. But speaking as frond the side of the religious bodies we should be inclined to say:— Well, opposition to the popular will is futile, let us see what we can do for ourselves. We are exceedingly glad the Synod has taken the matter up, for frequent discussion keeps the minds of the people alive to the question, and out of it there may come forth some vigorous action. Certainly those clergy are the best friends of their cause, and of the country, who loyally submit to what they most see is absolutely the only course open to the Government, viz., the establishment of a secular system, and address themselves to provide for the spiritual needs of their young flocks, outside the curriculum of the State. Those who declaim against the State and do nothing, are unfaithful stewards. One particular , quickening effect has the secular system had upon the churches. It has led to much improvement in the organisation of Sunday Schools, which are now conducted on a proper basis, altogether different from that of a few years ago. And Sunday Schools properly managed, might do ten-fold even of the great good they have already effected.