CATHOLIC EDUCATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 318, 23 May 1879, Page 16

CATHOLIC EDUCATION.

With respect to the attendance at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese we very recently gave authenticated paiticulars, these being a copj of the returns furnished under the Act to the Education Department. Later still the Catholic Education Committee at St. Patrick's, Melbourne, have, in a published circular, supplemented that information with a statement of tbe total attendance at our schools in the suffragan dioceses. The following is a copy of the circular :—: — VICTORIA. Roman Catholic Schools. Summary of returns to the Education Department, as required by law for the year 1878 :—: — Number Schools, on Bolls. Archdiocese of Melbourne ... 11l 16,808 Diocese of Ballarat ... ... 35 4,926 Diocese of Sandhurst ... ... 31 3,376 Totals for the colony ... 117 24,110 Particulars of the total attendance in the Diocese of Sandhurst are given in another column, and from a note attached to these it will be observed that in the first three months of the present year the attendance has gone up from 3370 to 3782, the increase being 406. This is most satisfactory, more especially as it is only reasonable to infer that a proportionate advance in attendance has taken place in the other two dioceses. However, we need not ask friends or foes to look beyond tbe complete returns for 1878. The total of tliese is high enough to gratify the former, to cause no slight discomfiture to the latter, and to set that class thinking who have been watching the discussions on the subject, but have not made up their minds either on the points in dispute or on the course that should be taken to settle the difficulty. The returns verify our claims with regard to the attendance; they exceed the number claimed by Sir John O'Shanassy, and they are very nearly double that acknowledged by tie Education Department If we add to the 24,110 Catholic children accounted for the 500 or more in the Industrial Schools, and also allow for the number unavoidaby attending State scbcolf, no Catholic schools being in their district, or vrithin convenient distance of their residences, it will be seen that it is unquestionably evident that Catholics as a body keep aloof from tbe State school system. Upon the grievance they suffer it is unnecessary to dilate here. The extent and nature of it is plainly indicated by the large numVer of children for -whose education they are providing, whilst they are heavily taxed for a system they abhor and reject, and from participation in which they are effectually excluded by their conscientious convictions. Sir John O'Shanassy will have a strong case in the new Parliament, and Catholics seeing now how strong it is, how heavy must be their expenditure on Catholic schools, and how harsh and hard is the grevance from which they are suffering, should firmly and unalterably resolve to vote for no candidate not willing — mid ready, too — to do them justice on this for them the question of questions. — Advocate.