The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1878. HOW THEY DO IT!

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 259, 19 April 1878, Page 11

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1878. HOW THEY DO IT!

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HERB is a party in this Colony — the majority unfortunately at present — which never ceases to vaunt its love of education and its sacrifices in this good cause. It is worth while to examine the validity of its claims, and see if its members really do what they profess. For many years there have been excellent Catholic schools in various places throughout New Zealand. In some of the provinces, aid was given by the Provincial Authorities to these schools, notably in Nelson, "Westland, and Hawkes Bay j and it was admitted on all hands that these schools were amongst the most efficient in the country.

They all supplied a want and, relieved the Government of a very heavy burden. But the lovers of education were not satisfied with this state of things, and so they determined to destroy these schools by withdrawing all aid, 'rendering it, if not impossible, at least extremely difficult for Catholics to maintain their schools! The lovers of education love to destroy excellent schools ; this is their mode of encouraging education ; this is how they do it ! Until lately — in fact, until fie secularist and godless faction succeeded in attaining to : scendency over the pockets, rights, and consciences of the people — denominational schools received at least that amount of encouragement which is implied in exemption from rates. But it is so no longer. The lovers of education love education so much that all schools (except such as are godless) must henceforth payrates. This is the secularists', mode of spreading education. This is how they do it ! Secularists love education so much that they have succeeded in getting a compulsory clause in the last godless Education Act, so that no child shall be permitted to grow up in ignorance of the three Great It's, although indeed they may, and are rather encouraged than otherwise to do so, grow up in absolute ignorance of their origin and destiny. And yet, whilst making education compulsory, secularists have neglected to provide the means of the most elementary education for thousands of children. But they are great 'lovers and promoters of education ; and this is how they do it ! • Nowhere is there a sufficient number of schools. In very many places the Catholics have made, and are making strenuous efforts to supplement this insufficiency ; and yet the Government controlled by secularists, whilst, through neglect, or, inability, or both, it fails to meet the educational wants of the people, not only refuses all aid -to Catholics whom it taxesfor schools, but actually throws every obstacle in its power short of closing our schools by force, in the way of Catholic schools,^ thwarts, discourages, and taxes them unmercifully. Secularists do indeed love education ; and this is how they do it ! Our schools are at this moment heavily taxed ; we are enlarging our school buildings, and erecting new ones. The moment these are complete, the tax collector in obedience to the law passed by the zealous partizans of education, if we are to believe their boastings, will pounce upon us, and demand large additional taxes. Surely secularists do love education ; and behold how they do so ! Under the new education Isiw there are to be exhibitions numerous and valuable. These can be gained and held by pupils of the godless schools. But a pupil of a Catholic school, now matter how talented — now matter how admirably educated — is, according to the law. incapable of even competing for one of these exhibitions. The knowledge and service of God are positive disqualifications for scholarehipg paid for by the community at large. But let a godless creature present himself, and the Government system at once takes him to its bosom, allows him to compete, and if he be successful in the three W& bestows on him a valuable exhibition, so that at the expense of a Christian people he may loudly proclaim, after the example of our present AttorneyGeneral, his infidelity, and deride and insult the most cherished principles of the people who give him his bread, butter, and education. And this is how secularists love education this is how they do it ! Catholics put their hands into their pockets and contribute largely, very largely indeed, to the establishment and maintenance of schools, thus giving the best proof of their appreciation of real education. But who ever heard of secularists imitating their example. Yet to hear and read the secularist rant, one, who knew no better, would be apt to come to the conclusion that Catholics hated education, and that secularists loved it. Secularists are, no doubt, great in advocating education for themselves which everybody pays for, and very fastidious they are about the literary food with which the enforced I charity of the community supplies them. We Catholics support our own schools, build them, pay rates for them, and, then secularists have so managed it, that we must also contribute largely to provide them with a rattling godless education free of all expense. And we are compelled to listen to the unbounded abuse heaped upon us by secularists who call us by all sorts of bad names, tell us we are ignorant and and abettors of ignorance, and haters, of enlightenment, whilst they are enlightened, educated, and lovers of education." But thig kind of thing only deceives those who are willing to be deceived Every dispassionate man in the community sees how secularits really are disposed towards education. It is not genuine education they seek, but the destruction of that which is real