MR R. W. HAMMOND'S NEW REJOINDER.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1061, 12 April 1879, Page 2

MR R. W. HAMMOND'S NEW REJOINDER.

Sir,— l fully concur with Mr R. W. Hammond, that "the subject must 'he getting stale," considering that my last letter appeared on the Ist, and his favour comes to hand on the 10th of April. One of Mr Hammond's amenities, this time, is to playfully pretend that, he finds m my communication only a " magazine well stocked with powder, which flashes a*nd thunders, but propels no deadly missile." Admirable! What needs, he then of furlongs of composition m reply ? Why consume an octave and more m elaborate preparation for the next siege ? Why consult generals on the situation, if only smoke, and nothing more to encounter ? Mr Hammond declares that he " will not weary your readers " by traversing his. eld footsteps, but further on he discovers that he " necessarily must so. ' But that's a peccadillo ! Referring to my letter of March 6th, and, indeed, to others . besides, will demonstrate to Mr Hammond that, Father Golden advocates the denominational system only m centres of population, and m the capacity rather of an auxiliary than of an opponent to the State. The existence of school buildings, the required number of pupils, efficiency m results, compliance with State rules m general being all supposed, we ask for aid or assistance for the maintenance of such institutions. Thus, we propose to educate our children at a cost two-thirds less than the State is doing it at present. Far less expense is incurred m aiding schools already m existence than m building and altogether maintaining new ones. As for sparsely populated districts, secularists need not perplex themselves m pity ior the hardships Catholics or others would have therein to endure. In such localities, let us live as best we can, as at present. Moreover, by conceding their rights to denominatioaalisfcs m possible cases, you establish a confidence which would work well m State schools m scattered districts. More willing cooperation would be given to State schools, where such schools only should exist. Mr Hammond catches hold of ' Hansard," to raise a question affecting Mr Curtis' Bill, but, as he himself answers the question to his own satisfaction, I need not trouble with it. With Mr Sheehan' s speech on the Education Question, I am fairly acquainted. It is not m good taste to quote against any legitimate society, the acts or words of one who becomes a rebel to the laws of suoh a society. Smoke is a certain sign of fire, but splendid abilities are not a certain indication of wisdom. Wild rigmarole and beautiful impossibilities sometimes come from men of genius. Children of all denominations huddled into a " compulsory, free and unfettered school," will turn out the beau ideal of unsectarian and denationalised ladies and gentlemen. "To Hong Kong with England, Ireland, Scotland, China and Fiji. We are New Zealanders, hurrah !'' There is wild rigmarole. Is it true that such a result is m course of consummation under the State system? Here is my answer. I could name a State school m the Waikato, where Catholic children are called by their companions, "Irish and Papist." The juveniles get excited m the school, and fight on their way home. One parent keeps his boy at home because he is not able for bigger fellows. That is not the only instance where children m State schools suffer abuse for religion and country. Utopian, then, is the picture secularists draw m this respect. Here is another grievance affecting Catholic childreu m some of the State schools of the Waikato. Non-Catholics hold Sunday-schools and Divine Service m some of them, and their books are often left broadcast on the forms during j the weok. Tho latter practice is liighly j objectionable. There is an instance m the Waikato of a Government school being held m an Episcopaliau Church, and Catholic children attend that school. Surely that is not au orthodox place for a purely secular school to be held. The Auckland 'Herald' and 'Star' have quite recently had doleful leaders touching the Auckland College and Grammar School, which, I presume, is the model school of the Province. It appears, from the avowal of the head-master and the examiners that, so far at least as the English language and English composition are concerned, the teaching of last year was a dead failure. Strong hints, too, are thrown out that the hsad master is not over polite, and, m general, that matters educational do not run as moothly as they should, m that rich and pet school. But these are nag m, "Epoch of English History : The Tudors and the Ref ormation," is one of the books I referred to m my last, and that book, now lying before me, I got out of a State school m ( the Waikato, namely, that of Kihikihi. f I do not attach any blame to the teacher. He could not help receiving it. Does not the very title of this history, consisting of 87 pages, tell against it most powerfully ? " Thick as leaves m Vallombrosa" is objectionable matter within its two covers. In leader, dated Ootober 4, of last year, the 'N, Z. Tablet,' a well informed journal, gives the other books, and extracts to show the quality of their contents. It calls them class books, m State schools, and it has not been challenged. That they were m Dunedin, I have no doubt whatever, and that is enough for my purpose. It is not many years since I had to complain that " Collier " was used m the Waikato. I am very glad to hoar that a change for the better has been effected. When would this take place, if we remained quiescent 'i Tho 87 page Epooh is q, new arrival, I

Here, now, is new and painful matter whioh Mr Hammond imports into tho discussion. Wiser, far, to leave for ever m oblivion tho maniacal aot of the unfortunate man, Avho attempted the life of a harmless Prince, m Sydney. No Irishmen, whether fenians or non-fenians, sympathised with that mad and most criminal act. I pronounce it bad policy for Mr Hammond to give this and other delicate points m Irish history such prominence m his letters. A lighted match should not be placed under a powder magazine. More shan a flash would be the result. Now that feelings are at a higher temperature than usual, Mr Hammond should be more zealous for the peace of the country. Enough. Vain, I suppose is the endeavor to prove to secularists that a portion of the community have a perfect and inalienable right to educate their children according to the dictates of conscience ; that they have a just claim to a portion of the taxes which they contribute towards the State revenue, like their follow-men ; that they inflict no wrong on others by placing their schools under Government surveillance, and receiving aid for their maintenance ; and that it is not a just or wise, or wholesome policy, for the State to secure for itself a monopoly m education. Monopolies m any pursuit m life are sure to inflict an injury on somebody. I am now quite willing to drop the subject, and to shake hands again with Mr Hammond as freely, honestly, and heartily as ever. One good result, I expect from this discussion, * c., that the Secular Act, touching religious matters, will receive more attention m future-. I am perfectly satisfied that Mr Hammond, himself, w®uld rejoice at such a result. — I am, &c, J. Golden. Hamilton, April 10th.