THE ARCHBISHOP’S MISTAKE

Southland Times, Issue 19170, 14 February 1924, Page 4

THE ARCHBISHOP’S MISTAKE

It is unfortunate that Archbishop Mannix did not give a little more consideration to the broader aspects of the question before he revived the old complaint that Catholics who have their own schools have to pay for them while contributing to the cost of the State’s education system. New Zealand does not levy a special tax for education and so the only means by which the remedy Archbishop Mannix desires could be effected would be to grant State-aid to the Catholic schools. In this matter no question of religion need obtrude itself, and points concerning the views of the Catholic laity need be discussed. The State has provided a system of education which is secular and is, therefore, available for children of all. creeds and beliefs. This is the only method by which the State can offer education impartially. There exist in our midst, however, many parents who for many reasons are not satisfied with the educational opportunities offered by the State’s schools. Their prejudices are variously based, and the State recognises the parents’ right to satisfy these prejudices so long as the child is educated to a certain standard. Parente may object to the secular character of the State system; they may object to the distance a child is required to travel; they may think that a child’s manners are not watched with sufficient .care; they may desire tuitipn for their children beyond the scope of the Statefe curriculum. All these and other considerations may weigh in the decision to send a child to a private school; but the State simply says: If you want to set up a school to satisfy your