THE GOVERNMENT AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 274, 2 August 1878, Page 13

THE GOVERNMENT AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

In the House of Representatives the Government was asked, two or three days ago, if a sum of money would be placed on the estimates for the purpose of aiding Catholic schools, to which question the Government replied in the negative. So far, therefore, as the present Government is concerned, the injustice done to Catholics in the matter of education is to be upheld. This determination of Ministers does not sirprise us, we had never hoped that a Ministry containing such members as Mr. Macandrew and Mr. Stout would do Catholics justice. But, though such was always our conviction, we have

not till now given expression to it, because we felt it would be difficult to persuade some of our readers that a Government presided over by Sir G. Grey would refuse justice to any portion of New Zealand colonists or natives. We waited till the Government itself had authoritatively declared its determination to uphold injustice, and continue to heap disabilities and undue burdens on Catholics, because they wished to rear up their children in the principles and practices of Christianity and Catholicity. But we need have no reticence now ; the Ministry lias itself removed all doubt and obscurity; and, henceforward, Catholics can labour under no delusion as to how they ought to act in reference to the several members of the present Cabinet and their supporters in Parliament. The Catholic electors of Dunedin, for example, will know what answer to give when asked to vote for Messrs. _ Macandrew, Stout, and Oliver, and Catholic electors in other constituencies cannot be ignorant of their obligations towards other members of the Government and their supporters. What, we are curious to know, will the Catholic electors of Tuapeka say to Mr. Brown, the Government whip, who so actively aids the Ministry which declares it will continue to refuse all aid to Catholic schools, And do everything at present in its power to drive Catholic children into godless and demoralising schools. Personally we entertain a very great respect for Sir G. Grey, and have great confidence in his wisdom and strong sense of justice ; and we feel assured that if his colleagues would permit him to act according to his individual judgment, we should have little, if anything, to complain of. But as a member of the present Government we can only regard him in his official capacity, and in the discharge of our political duties treat him as a practical politician. For this reason we are compelled to range ourselves amongst the opponents of the present Government ; and should an opportunity present itself of doing so, we shall certainly oppose the re-election even of Sir George Grey himself. Until we obtain justice and redress of the grievances under which we groan in the matter of education, we must strenuously oppose every government which refuses to do what it can to redress these grievances.

It is only at the hustings and the polling booths Catholics canstrike efficaciously. We wish, therefore, to impress on Catholics two things. In the first place they must keep in mind the names of all who opposed their claims in Parliament, amongst whom, of course the members of the present Ministry now hold the first place ; and secondly, they must take measures to secure the registration of all Catholics having the required qualifications. To ensm-e success organization is necessary. It would be well, therefore, if in each locality a small working committee were formed for the twofold purpose of reminding Catholics at the proper time of the names of their prominent enemies, and of attending to the registry of Parliamentary voters. Such committees ought to be appointed at once ; and then they ought to work industriously but silently. And we would beg to remind Catholics that earnest, determined men arc accustomed to mature their plans and pursue them without making much noise about their doings. No doubt we are now giving some information to our enemies, who will threaten to do as we do. But what we have now said is under the. circumstances unavoidable, and it need not be repeated. As to the determination of our enemies to oppose us actively, we may not be troubled ; they have always done this ; and whether we act or remain quiescent they will certainly continue to do so. Remissness in political organisation is not amongst their short-comings ; but is one of our greatest failings. If we really wish to obtain redress, we must bestir ourselves, and imitate the example of our determined opponents. "Fas est etiam ah hoste doceri." It pains us very mucnto find ourselves driven into opposition to Sir George Grey's' Cabinet, but the principle of justice is paramount to all other considerations "justitia fiat, mat calum" — even if the heavens were to collapse, let justice be done. AH personal considerations must give way before the claims of justice; and the Catholic who supports a Ministry pledged to wring taxes from Catholics for the purpose of stamping on them the mark of inferiority and mental degradation, or compelling them to accept godless schooling, has forfeited the name of Catholic, and gone out into the wilderness of infidelity and godlessness. There is no alternative for Catholics but to fight the battle of justice in education, or to permit the faith and morals of their children to be utterly ruined. Taking things as" they are, Catholics can only purgue one of three courses— tamely submit to cruel injustice

and entirely maintain Catholic schools as best they can, whilst contributing largely to support godless schools, or struggle like brave men to wring their rights from the tight grasp of their oppressors ; or, thirdly, abandon the fight, and allow their children's faith to be lost. It is for Catholics to choose. Which course will they adopt ?