THE NEW EDUCATION BILL.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 20, 15 June 1872, Page 2

THE NEW EDUCATION BILL.

A Me KTTXa of~the"roembers-of the Central Board of Education was held on the 6th inst. at Superintendent.Voffice/ for the further consideration of the i ducat ion Bill. There were present—HTs HTnor "llio Superintendent (in the chair), Dr. Nicholson, and, Messrs. Hurst ;md wanson. —The first portion of this bill (which is to be introduced in the House of next session) was fully lasfc meetiijjgfJa*i(i on Tlnirs lay it .was further considered. Of the Board saili was in any way binding, »nd could only go to tho House as r .comiiiendatiotisof w)iatthe Board considered would be. suitable, to the progress ol education in the province of Auckland. The different clauses were considered seriatim, and fully discussed, and the„proposed alterations and exo sions placed" on record in the minute book. Several clauses were expunge 1, as being unsuitable for the wording- of tho Education Act in the province—A good deal of.dissentioii took place on the question as to whether education should; be purely sooular or not. A very strong- opinion was expressed that it should be secular, and thai-oven to have religious examination by clerg-ymen , once a year, would bet) introduce an element of'discord. But the principal discussion of the evening- was upon the question of compulsory education. The Chairman was of opinion that if the people were taxed for. educational purposes, the education ought to be made compulsory, and he arguecf that every taxpayer had a rig-lit to see that the taxes were spent for the particular object for which they were levied, —iir. Swanson, was of the same opinion ; and Dr, Nicholson, although he fully admitted the necessity under certain circumstances of a free,education, reminded the meeting-: that an Englishman always sets his : back up at anything savouring of compulsion., Ultimately, a motion by Mr. Hurst was agreed to, to the effect that the Central Board should have the power to bring the compulsory clause into operation where it was found necessary. The following are the clauses under which the powers can be exercised:—Clause 60, Compulsory Educa-, tion : The Board of any province may on the requisition of a majority of the householders 'of any school district within such province who shail have paid their rates for tie current year bring into operation within such school district by proclamation in the Government " Gazette "; of the province and, " New Zealand. Gazette," and by publication within such school district as the ! Board may direct' all Ihe provisions herein next following relating to compulsory education and contained in sections numbered irom sixty T one to sixtyseven. Provided that the said provisions shall not be enforced until not less than three months after the d:ite of such ' and publication. CJause 61. Subject tq the provisions of this Act the parent or guardian of every child not less than seven nor more than twejve , years of age, .shall in case such child lives within the distance of two miles measured according- to the nearest road from a provincial aided or other public school within a school district send such child to school for at least.one-half bf:th6 period jn each year during which the school is usually open. Clause 62. The parent or guardian of any child may apply for and receive a certificate from the School Go mmli/, tee in the district in which such child resides if it resides within a sahool district if not from the committee of the adjoining district in which ,theprovincial aided; or, other public, school nearest to the residence ef stfch child exempting such child from attendance in whole or in part at school upon satisfying the School Cd mi ttee ; a foresaid or a Justice of the Peace of the existence ot any one of the following grounds, namely : [Then follow the exceptions.] The Words, "On the requisition of a majority of householders of any.schop! district within such province;who shall have paid their rates for the then • current year," were struck out of clause 60. The considera;tion : of the bill wks finished about half-past nine o'clock, when the meeting separated.