OBJECTIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 5, 30 May 1890, Page 16

OBJECTIONS.

N another column will be found Bishop Moran' B reply to the address presented to him on Sunday last by the congregation ot St. Joseph's Cathedral. In this reply the Bishop shows the injustice done to Catholics by the system of public education prevailing in New Zealand. He points out that Catholics, whilst contributing their fair ihare of the funds devoted to this purpose, are shut out from all participation in their expenditure. But this was not his main point, and, therefore, he only referred to it incidentally. It was not then necessary to do more. On this point Bishop Moran has discoursed and written for years, so that his attitude on the question, and his views and arguments are so well known that more than an incidental allusion to them was quite unnecessary. His main contention on Sunday was that whilst the aiding of Catholic schools out of public funds would lead to considerable economy, doing so would not, as is contended by some, lead to the destruction of our system of public education. These are two important points, and for

years the great obstacle to the concession of justice to Catholic schools has been the prejudice raised by their enemies, by the never-ceasing repetition of the statements that justice to Catholic schools meant extravagance, and the destruction of the public school system. Naturally, therefore, the Bishop, when an opportunity presented itself, as it did on the occasion of the presentation of this address, availed himself of it to combat this twofold objection, or, rather, these two objections. And we think that all who will be at the pains to read his reply will concede that he has successfully grappled with them. Bis arguments seem to be unanswerable. In the first place he shows that the aiding, from public funds, of Catholic and private schools on the scale proposed in the last session of Parliament must necessarily lead to very considerable saving of public funds. He made a supposition, on which he built up an argument which cannot be upset. Suppose, he said, the aiding of Catholic and other schools induced twenty thousand (20,000) children to be transferred from public to private schools, would not a saving to Government of £40,000 ensue ? At present the Government is paying to the various School Boards £4 per head for the education of children — that is, paying £80,000 a year for the education of these 20,000 children. But if these 20,000 children were transferred to Catholic and other schools, the sum to be paid would be only £40,000, so that a saving of £40,000 a year would be effected. This is only an illustration, for a still greater saving might be effected. See what this would do for the country. It would then be possible to do a great deal for the development of the material resources of the Colony by the saving certain to result froia doing an act of justice and giving Catholics a portion, at least, of what is due to them. There can be no doubt that what Catholics ask for would lead to enormous economy. This is a consideration that should be pressed upon public attention in season and out of season. The cause of justice, policy, and economy demands this. — In the second place, the Bishop proved that the concession asked for by Catholics would not lead to the destruction of the national system of education — or, at all events, that it need not do so. In England, Scotland, and Wales Catholic schools are subsidised by the State ; neverthelefs, this does not destroy the national system in these countries. In Ontario, and indeed throughout the entire Dominion of Canada, Catholic and all other denominational schools are on a footing of equality with public schools, and yet the public schools flourish. These facts at once dispose of the groundless assertion that what Catholics claim, if conceded, would destroy public schools. Exp rience in England proves such would not be the result. Experience in Canada establishes the same ; and so thoroughly persuaded are the Canadians of the soundness and wisdom of their policy in this particular that they have embodied the principle of equality as to all schools, public and denominational, in their Constitution, co that no legislature, Dominion or Provincial, can make a law to repeal the School Act or interfere in any way with the system which treats all these schools on a footing of perfect equality. The assertion, therefore, that aid to Catholic schools would in any way help to undermine the public school system is groundless, and contrary to all our experience. People may rest assured that much greater danger threatens the system from a denial of justice than from such a concession as Catholics demand. In his reply, the Bishop stated that in the coming conflict between parties at the general election, Catholics should be careful not to vote for any candidate who refuses to pledge himself to support in Parliament their claim on this question, no matter who or what these candidates might otherwise be. We hope that Catholics will take the Bishop's words to heart, and in every instance follow his wise advice. To do otherwise would be to act foolishly and cowardly, would be a negation of principle, and the conduct of slaves, of men who had lost their manhood and qualified themselves for slavery. But we have no fear on this head. We know the Catholic body well, and are fully persuaded that Catholics throughout the entire country will do their duty to their children, themselves, and the State.

We receive from Gore encouraging accounts of the progress the Sisters of Mercy aTe making there. Their school continues to be well attended, and their popularity among the children is very apparent. The little ones quite understand the interest taken in them by their devoted teachers, and show themselves grateful for it in a manner most creditable to them. In all the branches in which they are instructed by the nune, who are in every respect qualified for the task

undertaken by them, they are making admirable progress. school, for the present, is held in the Gordon Town Hall. A suit able building, however, is in process of construction, in which ample accommodation will be found. Its dimensions are 45 feet by 24 feet, and it will be divided into two compartments, each containing a fireplace. Au addition also ia being made to the house which serves for a convent, and which will provide the nuns with conveniences that they stand much in need of. To cover the expense of all this useful and necessary work an art-union has been set on foot, which, we are happy to learn, gives promise of success. Many non-Catholics as well as Catholics are among its supporters, recognis-ing the excellence of the endß for which it is intended. We teed hardly add that every effort made to forward the object alluded to is exceptionally praise, worthy —bo mare deserving object being possible than", the establishment and advancement among us of the Sisters of Mercy, so famous for their good works, and self-denying services in the cause of faith and charity combined with the education of the young.

" Mb. Gladstone expresses suspicion of Tory intrigues with the Pope." This is a cablegram just received. That Mr. Gladstone's Buspicion is well founded we may well believe. As the inevitable failure of the Tories becomes more evident, they must necessarily grow more daring and more desperate in their expedient?. To obtain the aid of the Pope must appear to them more and more a very desirable matter, and no doubt they are using all their efforts for tbe purpose. Whether they are likely to succeed or not i i quite another queetioD. But, if we may judge by circumstances, we should say the answer must be in the negative. The support, for example, given by the Irish and American bishops and those of these colonies to the movement tbe Tories would crush has certainly such a significance. But it is, perhaps, this very fact that makes an attempt on the Vatican s>eem all the more pressing. Nothing can be hoped for from the bishops, and the Pope alone remains. It is safe, however, to predict that the hope is a forlorn one. The intrigue can only end in the discomfiture of those who have adopted it.

It is reported that her Majesty the Queen is in ill health—suffering, it is paid, from an incurable form of dropsy, which is only pre. Tented from becoming malignant by the utmost medical care and skill. We may hope that report exaggerate?, and that her Majesty may speedily regain her usual good health. If it is true, however, that she is suffering from dropsy, a curious coincidence may be noted with an incident in the earlier part of her reign.

Thb chief item of Irish news for the week is the proclamation of a meeting at Tipperary. The police, it would seem, acting, no doubt, in 'accordance with Mr. Balfour's desires, bad made up their minds for a day's sport, and had their rifles ready to shoot down the people if any resistance to his proclamation were made. Addresses, nevertheless, were delivered outside the town by Messrs. Dillon and O'Brien. Mr. Dillon, as we are given to understand te did, might well draw a contrast between the state of things existing around him and that he had lately witnessed ia these colonies. It musf, indeed, ke a strong proclamation of the kind that Australians would mt feel ashamed, as Mr. Dillon said they would, to obey. The proclamation of this meeting, meantime, adds to the suggestions already given as to Mr. Balfour'B sincerity m declaring the state of the country brought about by coercion all that is satisfactory.

The New York Herald has published the report of an interview between one of its representatives aad the Pope. It would be well however, to remember that Mr. Stead, a journalist of as high standing as that enjoyed by any member of tbe HeraUVs staff, signally failed in the \isit lately paid by him to Rome for a similar purpose. But Mr. Stead had the ulterior object of obtaining the alliance of the Pope, as he bad already obtained, or as he believed he had obtained, that of the Czar of Eussia, in his projects for the good of mankind in geceral. Perhaps the ambition of the Herald s representative was less exalted and offered no obstacle to bis receiving an audience. — There is nothing, meantime, lo stamp the alleged utterances of his Holineßs on the occasion with freshness or originality. If he spoke as reported, he did little more than repeat what he had already made publicly known. Indeed, the interview as pub! shed might be made up without difficulty from such matter. It refirs to the esteem in which the Holy Father holds tbe Ameiican people ; the anxiety he feels for the condition of the working classes, \ i* (ff nts for the complete suppression of slavery, and the remedy for exis ing evils to be found in religion. A point we consider extremely doub Iful in tbe interview is that in which the Pope is repns nted as infoiming bis interviewer that he intends to have a committee of woikingmen or their sympathisers formed in every diocese with its bishop at their head. As a rule, the Pope's intentions with regard to bishops are first of all made known to themselves — but no rule is witt'nut its txccption. The report adds that Herr Windthorst, the famous leader of German Catholics, has confirmed the HeraMs publication by declaring the statements expressed to be those which

to his personal knowledge the Pope entertained towards America, adding that it wa& bis own intention to support the Emperor William's policy on the Socialist question. An enterprising journalist capable of inventing a Papal cross-examination, however, need not fail in placing a few sentences in the mouth of a statesman, whatever bis eminence may be.

A San Francisco mail telegram informs us that William O'Brien's novel, which he wrote while in prison, has just been issued. It is entitled " When We were boys," and is an historical story dealing with Fenians. The book has been well received by the reviewers.

We regret to learn by the San Francisco mail that Sir Thomas Esmoude met with a severe accident while riding in London on the morning of April 30, so that he was carried into the House to vot e for Mr. Pamell's amendment on the Land Purchase Bill. As however nothing further has been reported here concerning the matter we may conclude that no more serious results have followed.

" Pbince Napoleon has written to M. Carnot protesting against the latter's visit to Napoleon First's home in Corsica as sacrilege. He asks what there is in common between the first consul, who made the new France, and Garnet's Government, which is disorganising the country." — Plon-Ploo, perhaps, thinks that he himself is better able to fill his uncle's boots. Beranger described Napoleon's shroud as capable of enveloping all the kings of the period — and possibly PlonPlon would find concealment, in their wake, beneath its uttermost hem« His conceit, however, might be less easy to hide.

The Rome correspondent of the Dublin Freeman wires as follows under date April 7 :—": — " Amongst the visitors attracted to Rome by the splendour of the Church's celebrations of the Feast of Easter was Mr. William O'Brien, M.P. Yesterday, in company with Father Locke, Professor Marucchi.and Mr. Connellan, Mr. O'Brien visited the catacombs of St, Callixtus. Mr. O'Brien, of course, paid a visit to the new Church of St. Patiick, which Very Rev, Prior Glynn is building in Rome to tbe honour of the National Apostle of Ireland. By no means the least interesting of the events of the day was a visit which Mr. O'Brien paid to the Convent of St. Isidore, where he bad an interview with the brother of Mr. John Dillon, M.P. Mn O'Brien dined with Prior Glynn. In spite of the most cordial invitations to prolong his stay in the Eternal City, Mr. O'Brien left last eight for Ireland, to attend the opening of New Tipperary on Saturday.