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New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 40, 31 January 1874, Page 5

We publish this week a circular from the Catholics of Christchurch in reference to the payment of the rate for the main tenance of education. The Catholics of this town have resolved upon two things, and, whilst informing their fellow Catholics* of the Province of Canterbury of their resolutions, invite suggestions and co-operation, Regaraing the education rate in the light of a grievous wrong done to themselves and all Catholics in the Province, they have resolved to oppose the collection of the rate by every legitimate means; and in the second place they remind their co-religionists of the necessity of registering in order that they may be able to bring their due weigbt'to bear at the next general elections on the all important question of education.

With regard to the necessity and policy of Catholics registering in order to be qualified to vote, there can be no second opinion ; and we hope, therefore, bo time will be lost in setting 1 on foot the machinery necessary to place on the li=t of voters the names of all Catholics who have the required qualifications. Indeed, a permanent organization to secure the registration of Catholic voters ought to be established ; in no other way, as it appears to U3, can Catholics hope to obtain from our legislators due consideration of their rights and wants. It would be well, too, if Catholics throughout the entire Colony would take the hint and follow the lead of Christchnrch in this matter.

As to resisting the payment of the rafe for the support of schools, we do not see our way so clearly. The Christchurch circular shows that tile Committee which drew it up does not entertain any hope of success, and is of opinion that the rate can be enforced. Ihe resistance, then, that is recommendei is not for the purpose of evading or escaping payment. Payment will have to be made with the additional aggravation of law expenses. But the object in view is to make a strikingand solemn protest, anil to give expression to the very natural sentiments of indignation which men cannot but entertain at seeing themselves the victims of injustice and tyranny.

Under this point of view the movement has our sympathy ; and were we residing in Canterbury we should certainly act in accordance with the suggestion of this circular. But at the same time, tv c.ill on poor Catholics to pursue a course which cannot but subject them to considerable pecuniary loss is to incur a very serious responsibility*, especially when it is very doubtful whether any good result would eiioiie. If we might ven'ure to make a suggestion, we should say tint no decided nction in the way of general re.yi-^tance should be made unless or until the Committee in Christchurch is in a position, from the amount of contributions sent to it, to pay the leg tl expenses to which poor people may be put by following its advice. We are aware that there is general and deep indignation on the part of Catholics both at the injustice done them and the contemptuous manner in which it has been done, and 'that at present smarting under a seiiae of these, Catholics are prepared to make fight, and pay the penalty. At the same tim 1 we are aware that a c mviction of the hopelessness of a struggle soon damps people's ardour in the struggle, and induces apathy and despair as succe ; sors to hops.

It appears to us, therefore, that nothing ought to bo done that hicks the conditions of perseverance. Better not to begin a work at all than to fall away frcm it quickly and weakly. There is another suggestion we would bog to make, though to da so is, we me certain, quite a work of supererogation. Ife

is that nothing illegal shall -be done or attempted. If resistance by legal means be possible, then we say, by all means, let there be resistance. If legal resistance le hopeless, then when people are able to bear the loss of passive resistance let them resist passively.

But the great work before Catholics is to register, and at the polling-bootbs, when they can dj nothing else, always to vote against the men who have refused them justice in the Councils and Legislatures, no matter who may be their opponents.