PROTEST OF THE SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 325, 11 July 1879, Page 17

PROTEST OF THE SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT.

J. F. Perbin, Esq., Hon. Sec, Catholic Aggbegate Meeting, DtTNEDIN. Sib,— We the undersigned, Catholic Residents in the South Eastern District, while regretting oar inability to attend the aggregate meeting of our co-religionists, to be held in Dunedin on the Bth prox., to protest against the injustice and hardship te which the Catholic body is subjected by the law at present in force on education, and to petition Parliament for redress, beg to express our belief, "That if the system of education which is supported in England and Wales by the British Government were substituted for that existing in this colony, it would, after fair trial, give more general satisfaction, and be far less expensive to the State. For various reasons we look upon the sy&tem at present in force as altogether unsuited to the requirements of this young and flourishing colony. As godless, its tendency is inevitably towards revolution lawlessness, anarchy, and bloodshed. It is the most expensive system and unnecessarily increases the taxation of the colony. It does not meet the requirements of non-Catholics as is attested by the rise of private schools in various parts of the colony. As Catholics, we look upon it as a most grievously unjust and tyrannical law, which -ioompels us against our will to support a system of education which We abhor, and of which we cannot in conscience avail ourselves It Is consequently a worthless system, unworthy of being supported by any civilized community. or*- j We therefore beg to request that you will appoint come suitable person representing our views, as our delegate to assist at the meeting and to sign the petition to Parliament on our behalf. We are <See— Don. A. Cameron, J.P., Nokomai Alexander Cameron, „ Michael Casey, M James Cantfield, „ Patrick M'Namee, Nokomai Hundred Patrick M'Quirk, „ Thomas Collins, „ Nicholas Sweetman, „ Andrew Breen, f| William Cowman, M William Breen, „

The Bolivian Ministry declares that Bolivia will act on the defensive, and wait until Chili penetrates into the interior, when it will repel invasion.