AT LAST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 4, 16 May 1884, Page 15

AT LAST.

is also the opinion of Sir Julius Vogel, as may be seen from his address to the electors of the East Coast. It cannot be doubted that these gentlemen represent a very considerable following, from which we deduce that more will be heard of this question before long. For a considerable time it has been apparent to as that the school question and the public works question were, owing to mismanagement and bigotry, growing into an antagonism to each other, an antagonism that ought not to exist, and would not exist were it not for the tyrannical spirit that is determined to crush all schools except the purely secular, or godless ones.

But that which nothing else could subdue, which a sense of justice could not modify, appears to be in a fair way of being quelled by the pressure of financial considerations. It has now come to this, that if the present system of education is to be maintained, there must be an end of public works ; our railways must, in many instances, remain unfinished, to the shame and injury of the country, and other public works and, projects be abandoned. All seem agreed that taxation can not be appreciably increased, and under such circumstances, of course no more money can be borrowed, and no more public works carried on. But if people who are well able to pay for the education of their children did so, instead of the public at large being compelled to maintain a system of free schools,, two or three hundred thousand a year could be at once set free to enable Government to borrow six or seven millions sterling to complete our railway system, and carry on other necessary works.

This is how the question stands at present, and such real states men as we have amongst us see the matter plainly, and some of them have already sounded the note of a new departure. We shall be curious to see how this . new policy will be accepted by Government politicians first, and then by the country at large. We entertain no doubt of the soundness of the masses if left to themselves, and if they d 3d 3 not permit themselves to be misled and cajoled by selfish leaders. But on this latter point we have our fears. And what is it probable the leaders will do ? First amongst these stands, of course, Sir George Grey. How will he meet the new policy ? — and we enquire about him, not because there is any depth of political wisdom to be found in him for a long time past, but because he undoubtedly possesses great influence with the masses. It is not long since Sir, Gborob

UR anticipations have at last been realized ; thoughtful men have opened their eyes to the" fact that our education system costs more than the country can afford. This is the opinion of Mr. Larkaoh as expressed in his speech to his constituents in South Dunedin the other day. 1 his

Grey committed himself to the statement that our education system was nearly as perfect as any education system under the circumstances could be. This was a Very absurd proposition to be sure, nevertheless. Sir Gkorob made it, and we regret — for the sake of his own reputation — he did 1 so. But this does not commit him to the maintenance of the present mode of paying for this system. Sir Gborob is not thereby precluded from supporting a motion to transfer the cost of education from the consolidated fund to rates and fees, and such transference, we take it, is precisely what both Mr. Larnaoh and Sir Julius Vooel and their party contemplate. Will Sir Gboroe support such transference, and thereby open a way to the prosecution of public works on a large scale ? This is the pomt — ah ! there is the rub. Sir George's friends, the working men, are deeply interested in this question. The maintenance of the status quo as to education means stagnation, want of employment— that want continuing in ever-increasing ratio, — whereas the policy of Mr. Larnaoh and Sir Julius Voobl means employment for the working man at good wages. It will be an interesting study to watch the tactics of Sir Gboroe. Popularity, it would seem, is very dear to him, and we may be sure he will think twice before he runs the. risk of losing the favour of the working man. We shall see.