THE CANDIDATES ON EDUCATION

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 770, 10 March 1865, Page 5

THE CANDIDATES ON EDUCATION

To the Editor of The Colonist

Sin, —In an editorial note attached to a letter of the Key. Mr. Q-arin, published in Tuesday's Colonist, you state as a " fact, that we are indebted to Mr. Saunders for the provision which regulates the time that any religious instruction may be given in our schools," bringing as a proof that, "on the sth March, 1858, Mr. Saunders proposed in the Provincial Council, that no religious instruction shall be given, except at stated hours, of which the parents of every child shall have been duly informed, so as to give them an opportunity to withdraw any child from such religious teaching." I beg to inform you that Mr. Saunders is not in the least entitled to the credit which you wish us to believe is due to him on this question. In the second session of the Provincial Council, Mr. Stafford, the then Superintendent, sent down to the Council a Bill, " To authorise the Superintendent to appoint a Commission to inquire into and consider what System of Education should be adopted for the province." This Bill became law on the sth February, 1855, and was quickly followed by the appointment of the Commission, which in the same year published its report. This report embodied a series of recommendations in the shape of resolutions, which became the foundation of the Education Bill introduced by Mr. Stafford in the next session of the Council. The Bth resolution is as follows:—

" That religious instruction, when given, shall be free from all controversial character, and imparted at such hours that parents objecting may be able to withdraw their children from the school at the time it is given." The resolution is adopted word for word in the 15th clause of the " Education Act, 1856, whence it has passed into the " Education Act, 1863," now in force. I cannot remember the names of the Commissioners; and their report now before me affords no information on this point, but I find the name of Mr. Greenwood attached to it as chairman. So far then we have rather to thank him than Mr. Saunders.

On the sth March, 1858, however, you tell us that Mr. Saunders proposed a resolution in the Provincial Council much in the words above quoted. You might have patience with me while I quote the proceedings of that day, in order that we may estimate correctly the debt of gratitude due to Mr. Saunders: —

" Dr. Mokbo moved, that it befjra instruction of the committee upon the Education Amendment Act, that they shall embody in it the principle contained in the subjoined resolution, 'That whenever in any educational district, a number of the ratepayers contributing not less than £50 per ancum to thj local

rate, shall, in writing, signify to tbo Central Board their desire to be consituted a separate body for educational purposes, it shall bo the duty of the Central Board so to constitute them by some public notification ; and tho Central Board upon being satisfied that a committee has been appointed to carry out tho public objects of tho body, and a sufficient school-house provided, shall, as soon as conveniently may be after the next term at which the rate is levied, pay over to such coinrnitteo the amount of rate collected from the persons comprising such body ; and may also give such additional aid in books, school apparatus, and money, as shall seem to the Central Board requisite: Provided always, that any Bchool so constituted shall be subject to be visited by the Inspector; and the condition of its maintenance in relation to the Central Board shall be that a sufficient amount of secular instruction is given.' " Debate ensued. " Tho Pkovinciai, Soucitoe moved as an amendment, ' That, &c, &c. " Amendment withdrawn. " The Pkovincial Soiicitoh moved, ' That the ■words contributing not less than £50 per annum to the a aid rate,' be left out. "There being no seconder tho amendment dropped. " The Provincial Solicitor moved that after the ■word ' be,' in line 11, the following words be inserted, J open to all children between the ages of five and fourteen years.' " Question put and passed. The Provincial Solicitor moved that the following words be omitted, ' and may also give such additional aid in books, school apparatus, and money as shall seem requisite.' " Debate ensued, Council divided. Ayes, 4 ; noes, 22 ; amendment lost. " Mr. Sattnders moved, that at the end of the motion the following words be added, ' and that no religious instruction shall be given, except at stated hours, of which, the parents of every child shall have been duly informed, so as to give them an opportunity to withdraw any child from such religious teachings.' " Question put, and Council divided. Ayes, 14; Messrs. Saunders, Dodson, Eban, Simmonds, Baigent, Parker, Sharp, Kelling, Mackay, M'Rae, Sinclair, Elliott, Wells, and the Provincial Solicitor. Noe3, 5; Messrs. Renwick, Marsden, Monro, Vyvyan, and the Provincial Secretary. " Amendment carried." Those who are at all familiar with the question, will recognise in the resolution of Dr. Monro, the germ of the Bth clause of the '• Education Amendment Act, 1856," now the 38th clause of the " Education Act, 1863," at present in force. The object of its mover was clearly to afford relief to the Catholic body, by merely insisting on a certain amount of secular instruction being given iv any school separating itself from the provincial system under powers proposed to be thereby conferred, leaving the managers of such school free to impart religious instruction when fnd how they chose. This object was, however, partly defeated by the amendment of Mr. Saunders, to which you have so unfortunately drawn public attention. I now wish to make a tew remarks on Mr. Garin's letter. It appears to me that all that Mr. Garin seeks and demands as justice was granted by the resolation brought forward by Dr. Monro, and nearly all by the 38th clause of the Education Act. The right of selecting books and teachers, justly contended for by Mr. Garin, appears to me to be conceded by that clause. The Central Board are certainly empowered to make a grant of books as a boon, but the forcing unacceptable books on a school, separating in the manner provided for in the 38th clause, is, I think, not contemplated. That Mr. Garin "is not allowed to establish his own principles, without any interference with his religions view," iv the school under his charge, is due to the boasted amendment of Mr. Saunders, proposed on the sth March, 1858. I am, &c, J. W. BARNICOAT. Nelson, March 7.