STATE EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2409, 12 June 1882, Page 3

STATE EDUCATION.

TO THX BDITOK OT THB TIXIBV' HBBAI.D. Sib, — A long way from Timaru, ,1 had the pleasure of reading your issue of laat Wednesday, and the lttter of jour correspondent "J.M." IPthe sereral counts, or any of them, m bia indiotmont'againsb the Grorern-' ment sy item be true, it ii time that a commission were appointed to enquire into the truth of them. I hare never heard either the impartiality or juttics of jonr paper called into questioo, as your columns are open to fair diacuasion, therefora I determined the first leisure moment I should hare to write to you my experience of the working of the syitetn. My duties as commercial trarellftr giro me a large and exteneire- acquaintance with both men and circumstance's," and I regret much to say that I can re-echo and endorse much of your correspondent's letter.' I am rery often mixed up with member* of educational Boards, of School Commilteoj, parents, Ap. The working, of; the education system frequently cornea on the tapis. I read the Uanedia Tablet occasionally and m it I hare teen some strong grumblings about tbe injustice done to Catholic), so 1 thought I would enquire and judge for myself. Without fear of contradiction I can affirm that there are not m. all Southland, Otago, South and ' North Canterbury, Westland or Mnrlborough, three Catholic I easier j. There may be here and there a little boy or girl aoting m pupil teashet, and perhaps theto were those the.Minlstor of Evocation ■ counted upon when he dated " there were sereral Catholic teachers m New Zealand." lam sure that things are not m a better position m the. North Island witk regard to Catholics. I hare sereral times enquired of members of Boards and School' Committee?: Do Catholic teachers apply for your Softools P : ' arid 'hare .'been told they do, but generally they foil'lo be appointed, as the trujority of the parents are of a. different creed. Others tell me that they would not send their children to the. schools. They • would rather see the schools closed than allow.: Catholic to bare charge of them. I hare asked: Do you consider this f»ir, when Catholics are supporting the tysjem as' well aa yqu. You don't loruple to receive their taxes to build schools, to buy scbopl furniture, to pay teachers, to buy fuel, &o. Don't you c«U this an injustice t And I have been told, "Certainly not, if thay are fools' enough to gire 1 us the money." 11l am also told .bjf them : the Oatholios hare their 1 own 'fehoolf'wS the Qorira*

rnent fchoals are Protestant tcho-ls. O. c will tell me they are only Irish, and cannot be expected to bo trcaied on tho same equality with English and Scotch people. Another will tell me, why. should they nnt support Protestant schools m New Z aland wh'n they have been supporting a Pro'oatunt Church m Ir-fland all their lives ? Few Oien have a greater amount .oj experience lh»n I have, and judging from internal and external prejudices, I consider the State system a most iniquitous one. I write as I feel, and these are my feelings as a conscientious Protect ant. I consider the State has no more right to organise a system of education than it hat to form men's comciences or to tyrannise over them. As far at I can judgo, your correspondent's letter is a truthful one from many points. I am, &c, A COMUEBCUL TBAYKIXBB. Temuka.