TOUCHING THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 264, 24 May 1878, Page 9

TOUCHING THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

We dip the following letter written by the Key Father Coleman from the Oamaru Au-ntnr/ Mail of the 15th inst. It will be seen from it that the Catholics of Oamaru are setting a noble example to their coreligiouists throughout the colony :—: — xi *?. Monday night's Mall a letter appeared signed " A Roman ■Catholic. _ In reference to it permit me to say a few words. * I admit that the statements made in that letter are true. It is true that the Government is treating us unjustly, cruelly, by forcing us to pay money for schools of which conscience forbids us to avail ourselves, and then lo refuse any share of that money for our own schools. It is true that we look on those Catholics who use the secular schools where Catholics schools arc established as low, unprincipled people who sacrifice conscience and the souls of their children for base lucre ; or, as " A Roman Catholic " put it, we look upon such persons as soupers of the lowest type. " A Roman Catholic " drew a comparison between the Irish soupers and those nominarCatholics who use the secular schools, and to my view, the conclusion is correct ; but he omitted to add that the Irish soupers were fed with soup and meat given them m exchange for their religious convictions, but purchased by the money of Protestant Bible Societies ; whereas here, in this country, the money is forced out of the pockets of Catholics, and is then made use of to help the unprincipled and slavish portion of the Catholic people to abandon their faith and to expose their children to the imminent danger of never having that faith, and, as we believe, bringing eternal ruin on themselves and their unfortunate children.' ° It is also tree that Mr. Shrimski has expressed himself as an advocate of the secular education system, and has declared his hope to see Catholics availing themselves of that system. The reply seems to "lit 0 * ' * hou S h trao and forcible. If Mr. Shrimski was aware ot the tact that it is religious conviction and conscience which make us reject the secular system and cling to education under the guidance ot oui religion— if he knew that every honestand conscientious Catholic would sacrifice his own life and that of his offspring rather than give up his faith and obedience to the Catholic Church, I am of opinion our respected fellow-citizen would never have made any light allusions to us, or expressed his hope that we would abandon principles that are <learer to us than life.

Of course, as he proclaims himself an advocate of a system tb.nt oppresses us, no honest Catholic can vote for him. Nevertheless he will not cease to have the esteem of the Catholic body, for men of worth and goodness deserve Avell of their fellov-beings ; and I must bear testimony to the iact that Mr. Shrimski is ever among the first to share in any work lor the public good. He had a large, even the principal, .share in establishing our Hospital, Mechanic's Institute, and our excellent harbor, both by his influence and by his large contributions ; and •even when the Catholics require help for church or schools or any chanty. Mr. Shmnski is ever ready with his contribution. And, moreover, now, when he is advocating secular education he gave me ,five or six weeks since, L 5 ss. to establish Christian Brothers in this town. In due time, I intend thanking him and our fellow-colonists who help ■us in the same way. But if Mr. Shrimski gave us all he possesses r it would not make us abandon principles : and on principle every Catholic will refuse him, and everyone like him, all aid when seeking to represent, us again. ° l Now, as I am oti this subject, allow me to add that I deprecate letterwriting: ami speeches tending to arouse bitter feelings between class and class, therefore it would have been well if Mr. Shrimski had not spoken of us as he did ; but as he did so, I can scarcely blame "A lioman Catholic for replying to him. Bat at the same time I think it would have teen better he did not reply, for the reply, or any reply >n word*, ib of very little use. The reply that we Cauholics must give to all such statements and speeches is an unceasing practical effort to maintain our schools, and a determined resolution, proved by real work, to establish first-class Catholic, and, therefore, Christian schools It we prove by a persevering consistent course that wo are honest ami conscientious ia what we are doing, I am persuaded we will get, even iiom those who differ from us, a large support and generous help to establish our own schools. In fact, I now state publicly for the first time that we Catholics here in Oamaru district are pursuing a course that is winning for us the sympathy and pecuniary aid of many generous persons who differ from us in oiir views even on education but who help us because they see the earnestness with which their Catholic fellow-citizens are working. We have already secured a sum of over £800, collected in this district from all classes within the last two years, for the purpose of establishing Christian Brothers in this town. We will require at least as much more to enable us to carry out the intended work, but we have not the slightest fear but that we shall have the required amount in time ; in fact, within four months from ibis day we would have everything ready for the Christian Brothers if they were prepared to coaie. Unfortunately it is not money or means that are wanting, but the men. The calls are so many on this noble and devoted Christian Society that it is utterly impossible for them to meet every demand ; but, according to agreement already entered into, we shall get them when our turn conies, and we shall be prepared when they are ready. Thus, Mr Editor, I think we are by our work proving that Mr. Shrimski's hopes ot seeing Catholics making use of the Government secular schools are groundless, and that he will soon learn that what we are doing is no solitary instance of the determination of all honest Catholics not to use the "souper" schools. Whether the Government makes any change in the laws or not, Catholic schools will be established and maintained, and I think if I asked members of the Government for help I would get it. I got it from their advocate, Mr. Shrimski, and I know he will give again when asked. Finally, would it not be well fox the Government to give the Catholics a share of the money forced rrom them, so that the Government may have control over these schools, and the Catholics may be content that a spirit of emulation may be encouraged between the several schools, that thus education may be promoted without bitterness or party spirit, but all of us may co-operate m promoting the general welfare of the inhabitants of these islands, where everything except this education difficulty promises the brightest future.— l am, &c, War. Coleman