MR. LUSK AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 233, 6 November 1873, Page 2

MR. LUSK AT HAMILTON.

Mr. H. H. Lusk addrewed a meeting at Hamilton on Monday. Captain Steele tojk she chair on the motion of Major Wilson, seconded by Mr Wood. The speaker was bi iefly introduced to the meeting by the Chairman, who solicited for him an attentive he-mug. Mr Lusk, on rising, was well received. He said it might appear a little strange that ho should again address a meeting at Hamilton. He had thought it better to do so, a? since he waa last there- the aipeut of the election was altered. In the first place another candidate bad come forward and made certain statements, aad in the second, whon he addressed them three months, back, there appeared to be little difference of opinion between himself and Mr Williamson on public matters. It was then more a question of men than measures. Since Mr Williamsons return from the Assembly he had announced that he differed with him in thinking that the Education Act of 1872 was a good one. He does not object on the grounds of the form of taxation, that part which has already been discussed in all ifjTKeariugs. He has promised, if returned, to stop the Act, and in its place to introduce a measure to establish denominational schools. When he -addressed you before he did not make this statement. In order that the present position may "be understood, it is necessary to explain this fact. In 1867. when Mr Williamson was Superitendeut, im Act was past providing for denominational education, which mount that every denomination had a right to itart a school 'of its own in each place, and call upon the provincial funds to aisist in carlymg it on. The system s,eetned to work at tiiut, but when it had been at woik spine 1 years; a strong suspicion arose that all was not, light. The matter was enquired into, and it was found that the majority of the schools wer« mere pretences, and proved that the system was to a' great extent a premium upon cheatiug. A great number of the aehools were shut, and the master* turned about their busiuess. Manj in that room could remember their being shut up, (A Voice — Theru was no school here for two yeais), the Govemmunt having given notice that there would be no money subsidy. When that Act had broken down Mr Williamson started a second Act which excluded all religious instruction from the schools. This Act turned , out a failure principally because it allowed the people to tax themselves, which rather than do they in many cases went without schools altogether. The last attempt at a system of education was that made himself. There was no longer money deiivablc from the revenue for education. He determined therefore to give a system that should be po manrnt. With that object he introduced the Act of 1872. He did ' not mean to say tnat the Act now in force id perfect. A now «ystem cannot be introduced in a pei feet shape. He did not agree with the manner the money tt.w rained, but that wa* not hit fault ; he had opposed tho uniform house tax to tho lut. Imperfect as the Act may be, Aw did not believe that there was an intelligent man who would return to the old system. Mr Williamson says he does not like tbe Act because it is "secular." H© would remind him that it is not so bad ai his of 1868. In the second' place he does not like it because of its compulsory clauses. He siys he will kill the Act if elected. It has been stated that the Superintendent has not tho power to do this ; ho lias tlio power it ho chooses to exercise it. Tbo Act provides that the Superintendent shall levy the rate ; he has only to refuse to do so and tbe Act would be practically at an end". The schools would bo shut up once more and the masters turned adrift. This was what he wished the people to clearly understand. In considering Mr Williumson's fitness for tho olEtv, they muit bear in mind that their vote means education or no education. Some say fie Bible should be read, irn , «fee. All tlieso comproiniuvs are pretty in theory, but the,) lime tho advantage* of knowing that they are not good in practice. If there had never been an Act, of 18G5 thoy might think tlmt eoiue such system might, j

answer the purpose ; the system collapsed The Act of 1872 provides that the poo pie shall be taxed. If the present form wus objectionable they had only to revert to the original sliding scale. Tho State leave* to parent*, clergy, and the Sunday school teachers, the duty of imparting religious instruction. The Apt dop« not, however, say that there shall be no religious instruction in the schools, ns such teaching is allowed outside certain hour*. The reason Jor this is that no nitin has a right to insist upon his neighbours being guided by hi-* own views. Ho would, advise, " Whatever you do 'keep clear of religious education in schools," Let u» have no more barriers ! Let us get rid of prejudices ! — many of which are not founded on reason and sense. Let us combine to get the best education we can. Tlir idea of denominational education is mere moonshine, and cannot apply to the country districts. He had thought it worth while to travel from Auckland if only to enlighten the people on this question, as the whole thing portends great danger to this province, which has been a by-word through the colony for its want of education. We. the largest province but one in New Zealand, had less children, in proportion to our population, being educated than in another ; nud absolutely fewer in number than the little pro* vinec of Nel-on. Mr Williamsons Act of 1868, proved impracticable, and in that fact is to be found the reason. This state of alF.iirs has lasted until lately. He was glad to say thnt since his Act had come into force the number of children attending schools had increased from 1,500 to 6,000. — (Cheers.) Thi* is only an instance of tho advantages it will confer. Let. ns go on, and we shall find that the people of Auckland haru as great adv»ntages,.as any other. It is education that will make us great ; if that it not attended to, we shall continue .as we hare ever done, to lag last. The future of tlie province rests with the country settlers. Mr William-ion hat appealed to u section of the population, he ha* practically said "If I promise to abolish the Education Act, will you support me by a block-vote." He, (Mr Link,) would say if they want the Act destroyed, vote for the man who has promised to do so. Another candidate has told jou thnt he ought to be the last Superintendent — he has told you that he will do all the work himself. Hi» statements are not worth •while considering at any length. Mr Williamson also saja that he will abolish provincial Government, but Iris promise is too indefinite, lie would say a few words concerning a gentleman who had visited them since him. Mr D.irgaville's statements looked startling. He passed through the district, if some of his telegrams to the Auckland papers are to be believed, like a brilliant meteor. If he said as many startling things as he did in Auckland he must have astonished them very much. Mr Dargaville is a very young politician. His political ideas date from the time ho was called upon to pay one pound for education ; at least he said so himself in Auckland. It is to be wished that he had been called upon to pay £5, as then, no doubt, his enlightenment would have been much greater. He has been very liberal in promises of 10 guineas, &c. to race funds, if eleotcd. (A voice.) — "What will you give?" Mr Lusk — I will give nothing. I will give my services and do my duty to the best of my ability, and that is all any man should be asked to do. (Cheers.) It may bo called by another name, but Mr D»rgaville's proceedings appoared to him Tery like bribery. He purposes to save large sums of money. He has, unfortunately for himself, darkly hinted how ho is going to do it. Let me tell you that he knows nothing whatever about it. How is it possible that he can ? He has never darkened the door of a provincial office except to renew the licenses of his puhlic houses. It is generally thought that before commencing to teach it is necessary to learn. He ha* laid on some occasions that he will discharge the clerks, aa they were only half worked. He, (Mr Lusk) knew something of this matter, and would tell them that there was no clerk in the offices who was not fully worked. It ia impossible to make reductions in that direction ; he said this because he knew it. He warned the people to pay no attention to a man when he makes premises concerning thingsof which he is totally ignorant. It would bo a sad day for the province if Mr Dargaville were elected — but fortunately there is no risk of that day ever arriving. He had promised not to make a long speech, he would therefore concludo by asking every elector to consider whether the present Education Act is of advantage to the settlers. If it be found to be of general benefit, he did not hesitate to ask them to vote for him on Thursday. No such reasons as the following should influence your vote : — " I have always voted for tho old man," " Dargavillo is a jolly good fellow." In the name of common sense are we to sacrifice our future for matters of private feeling, or more properly private prejudices. If a man is not worthy to have power, any elector who votes for him violates a most sacred trust and is not worthy to possess a vote. Men to unworthy as the above may be found, but he trusted not in the country districts. Ho warned them t6 cast aside private feelings, and go straight for the man they consider the best, and he is the only man they have a right to vote for. If you consider me the best man, vote for me ; if not, voto for the man you honestly think so. At the conclusion of the meeting, a voto of confidence in Mr Lusk was carried nem con.