SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 265, 31 May 1878, Page 17

SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

It appears that Sir George Grey has now concluded his stumping tour' and it is to be hoped that when, next he returns to Wellington he will soberly settle down to mould his future actions accordingly. With the multifarious promises he has made in his tour we have little to do, although we seriously fear that they are by fay too many to be fulfilled. In his eloquent address to the citizens of Wellington, he mentioned one fact worthy of notice in your pages. After describing his early acts he said that one of the reasons why he set out in search of a colony wherein to plant free, happy and prosperous communities was that, in his early days, he possessed what was then known as influence, by means of which, at an early date, he received the command of a regiment, which was stationed in the good * old city ol Limerick, of the violated treaty. Well the glorious work on which they wore sent -was to afford protection to a merciless band of robbers, known as tithe-proctors who were sent out to rob and harass the poor people in the name of the law, for the suppport of an alien church in which they did not believe. Deep and loud were the execrations that were poured on them, as they wended their way through hill and dale on their journey — even to this hour he could liear in fancy their curses, as they bent their way homewards, laden Avith spoil torn "from the famishing poor, who, however, gave out of iheir poverty, their wretchedness, and misery, to support their own churches and schools. No wonder that the heart of the enthusiast sickened within him ; however, not being of a rebellious mould he did not stoop or kneel down, like our own glorious Davis, and invoke the God of battles, nor yet did he say with him, " God of justice, I sighed, send your spirit down, Anil sof ten*tliose lords so cruel and proud ; Or else, I crjexl aloud, -vouscbiifc thy strength to the peasant's hand To drive them in, length from out the land." No, he looked around him for a new land on which to plant his suffering countrymen where they would grow up and nurture faith and freedom, secure from the spoiler's "blighting hand. Such noble sentiments ' deserve to be chronicled, but Sir George "will pardon us if we look at the sequel. He eloquently condemned the system of robbing the Irish Catholics of their all to support an alien church, while they were compelled, nay cheerfully gave their pittances to support and maintain their own church and schools out of their poverty and wretchednesss. Now, Sir George, let us enquire how the matter stands in this model colony of yours. We will dismiss the church question : thank God there is no State church, and as had once been eloquently said by Gavan Duffy, " There is now no Statute of Kilkenny, no Catholic confederacy, no Protestant ascendency to keep us from entire nationhood, the golden vista of prosperity lies open before us. and we must enter it hand in hand or not at all." I quote from memory after many years. But how docs it stand with schools ? If we leave ouv proctors, tithes, and churches, the eloquent peroration of Sir George is as applicable in all its naked barbarity to New Zealand. We have here the State schools supported in magnificence, part of the money being drawn out of the pockets of the Catholics, who in their poverty contribute handsomely towards the maintenance of their own churches and schools.

t If the system was tyrannical and unjust in Ireland it must necessarily be so in New Zealand. Injustice is injustice all the world over. No amount of illogical arguments can make us believe that any Government is possessed of lionesty of principle and purpose that perpetuates a system so entirely repuguant to enlightenment and justice. Will Sir George Grey still sit on the Treasury benches and, in the face of his own words, still uphold this obnoxious system. This is a question only time can settle. In all his stump speeches he has dexterously avoided even mention of it. Many are therefore under the impression that he either lacks the courage of his convictions, or is afraid to bring it forward, but let us hope that he will yet be found true to the principles that set him trying for a colony. If he does he will earn tlie gratitude and benedictions of his Catholic fellow countrymen. It is with deep regret I notice the determination of 3VIr. Stafford to resign his place in the Legislature. Catholics throughout tie length and breadth of New Zealand will he sorry that the voice so often raised in their behalf in the House will not re-echo this session. Mr Walter W. Johnston has also determined to resign, but not tan til alter the session. Truly things look gloomy for us in the forthcoming session, unless Sir Gcoige Grey with his large party will espouse our cause.

From the " Catholic colonial born statesman,"' wo can expect nothing except through fear ; but I am glad to be able to tell you his seat at Rodney is very shaky, thanks to the prompt and generous *jonduct of two gentlemen, whom I shall not now name ; but suflice *" it to say that they have done their duty well, and " When comes the day nil hearts to weigh If staunch they bo or wile," the Catholic electors of Kodney will not be found wanting. But if the worst should come, and even Sir George <?rey and Co. .should refuse to give us justice, we should bear in mind that one of the party, the self-styled John the Baptist, (though I should rather compare him to a still later Scriptural celebrity who shall be nameless in his gloom) publicly stated that they were, after all, only decent highwaymen. As far as wo are concerned the self accusation is literally true, but ni/dl desj/erandum he still our motto, Another election must soon come on when we can pay them back " blow for blow " Even so did our brethren do with Gladstone. Wellington, May lOdli, IS7B. Celt