FUTURE SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 233, 19 October 1877, Page 9

FUTURE SCHOOLS.

The Bowen Education Act, notwithstanding the paring and pruning in committee, is simply a copy of the Act now in force in Victoria, except a few trifling differences rendered necessary by the circumstances of the two countries. Both Acts are the same in their injnstice and intolerance towards Catholics. The Hon. Mr. Boweu and his supporters may feel glad for the framing and passing of such a law in this country ; they can congralate themselves also for having paid but little attention to the remonstrances of a Large portion of the community ; and no doubt they expect Catholics will not be unmindful of the measure of liberality extended to them, although it is a liberality that oilers no alternative but to struggle through a new season of hardship. For the past month the views and opinions of Catholics have been before every eye, in The Tablet, the Auckland Herald, and M'ellin//ton Pout, &c, so that no sort of ignorance or Lack of information can at all he pleaded in the matter, and yet the result is, that the State will grant about £200,000 yearly for the encouragement of secular knowledge, but any standard of secular knowledge imparted by Catholic schools will not entitle them to the slightest recognition. This injustice is past argument, and were it not that no species of injustice is altogther everlasting, it would be useless business to he arguing or agitating .any more on so plain a point. Deferred hopes make the heart sick : Catholics can look nowhere now for support for their schools but to themselves ; and the great difficulties in their way, incidental to a new and sparsely-populated colony, make tbc prospect of so serious an undertaking to be .a dreary one — and one from which there is no possibility of escape if faithfnl to their opinions. It is time to stop " hoping," call into action all resources, and begin the 'contest against the new Education Act. Catholic schools and teachers must not be inferior to State schools and teachers. an<\, as a consequence, Catholics must pay their teachers as good salaries as the Government pay theirs ; and even then the greater security of Government service cannot be overlooked. This is the magnitude of tbc task imposed by conscience upon Catholics, and the Bowen Act will put to test whether after all we cannot make our consciences subserve to our pockets, and live like other people whose mirse is more inviolable and sacred than their conscience. As Catholics must reject the Education Act, and maintain schools of their choice, it is necessary that that tl->crct 1-> crc should bo an organisation. and the Liverpool or the London Boards would be good modelsto follow. If we are seriously to reject the Education Act, it is absolutely necessary for the Catholics of New Zealand, clerical and lay, to form such .an organisation. Auckland, 2nd October. " Fidelia.