MR. GOLDIE AND AUCKLAND CATHOLICS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 12, 18 July 1890, Page 17

MR. GOLDIE AND AUCKLAND CATHOLICS.

§AST year, on the occasion of the debate on the second reading of Mr. Pyke's Bill, Mr. Goldie solemnly informed the House of Representatives that the Catholics of Auckland were not in favour of aid to Catholic schools ; that the Catholics of his own constituency told him they preferred the secular to the denominational system, and that, although he pledged himself to yote against Catholic claims, these Catholic constituents voted for him. We have no doubt that Mr. Goldie believed what he said, but we take leave to disbelieve every word of it, if by his Catholic constituents he means Roman Catholic constituents. And we shall now proceed to give our reasons for disbelieving Mr. Goldie's statements. Everywhere in the province of Auckland where it is possible to have Catholic Bchools, there Catholic schools are established. In the second place, we remember that in the previous year numerously signed petitions were sent from Auckland to both Houses of Parliament, praying for aid to Catholic schools. These facts do not look like facts which would go to show that Auckland Catholics were satisfied with the public schools, and, in fact, preferred them to Catholic schools, as Mr. Goldie endeavoured to make the House of Representatives believe, On the contrary, they prove that the Catholic body in Auckland iB p'ofoundly dissatisfied with the public school systtm, and • most anxious to obtain their fair share of the education grant in aid of their own Catholic schools. And, that, such is the case, nothing can be more certain, and more notoriously certain, notwithstanding Mr. Goldie's audacious assurance. As to the attitude of Mr. Goldie's Catholic

constituents, we also take leave to disbelieve his statement, if by Catholics he means Roman Catholics. We are aware, indeed, that some men who swear to the Thirty-nine Articles and regard the chaste Henry the Eighth and his virgin daughter as the most illustrious saints of their Church, sometimes call themselves Catholics, and we readily concede that these may have told Mr. Goldie that they did not wish the present public school system to be disturbed ; in fact, preferred it to a denominational system. But that any real Catholic, who deserved the name and practised his religion, spoke as Mr. Goldie stated, we absolutely and utterly disbelieve. On this question of secular and godless schools, all Catholics throughout the entire world are in accord with the teaching of their Church, as the petitions and sacrifices of Auckland Catholics in the support of Catholic schools prove that Catholics in Auckland certainly are. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the next time Mr. Goldie gives utterance to his statement about Auckland Catholics in the House of Representatives, Honourable Members will look upon his words as a calumny on an honourable and faithful body of people, and laugh at it as an impertinence, having its origin entirely in the imagination of a very bigoted partisan and unceasing enemy of common justice and obvious good policy.

The cable has been broken near Banjoewangi for some days, and consequently no fresh European news baa reached the colonies. The last report of any importance received was to the effect that Lord Randolph Churchill had rejoined the Government. Mr. Smith, it was said, would be promoted to the House of Lords, and a doubt was expressed as to whether Lord Randolph would sneceed him aa leader in the House of Commons, or whether Mr. Balfour would resign the Irish Secretaryship for the purpose in question. Mr. Balfour's resignation of the Irish Secretaryship must be looked upon as almost an impossible event. It would be tantamount to an acknowledgment of a complete failure of the Irish policy of the Government, which is irretrievably identified with the Right Hon. gentleman, and that the Government certainly would not make. A more probable explanation given is that Lord Randolph Charchill replaces Mr. Smith, Lord Hartington having refused to accept the office. Mr, Balfour continues to bold his place and to carry on bis fatuous policy.

Sib Robkbt Stout will coax rather than force the people of the colony to emulate the virtuous Scandinavians. In an interview with a representative of the New Zealand Times, the gallant knight) aor»ewhat timorous this time, expressed an objection against the reimposition of the primage duty for educational pnrposes, the love of education, he said, not being strong enough in the colony to bear the bruot of an unpopular tax. But will it not be a task worthy of the gallant knight's utmost prowess to fan the flame and make that love so burning in the colonial heart that no taxation imposed for the purpose can be unpopular among us ? We shall not equal the virtuous Scandinavians, he has told us, until we can expend onethird of our revenue on education. We shall see, then, what Sir Robert's coaxiDg powers can do. Let us hope they may be exerted to the uttermost befoie his object U gained. One-third of the revenue of the colony expended en educaiioD, identical, according to Sir Robert's just comparison, with the secularism of the Grand Orient of France, must necessarily entail somewhat serious cunsequences For once, let us hope, the colony will imitate the deaf adder.

:,;r 0J Wis h ave added, by way of postscript to our standing leadjr, a few suggestive or remindful facts or names. It is our intention to keep them also standing for a little, just to jog the memories of Cuholic electors in a wholesome direction.

Mb. Arthur Clampett has arrived in the colony and returns to Christcburcb, where it is his inteation, he says, to give proofs of penitence and of a life finally reformed. Borne surprise is expressed at t\ c action of the people who give him their Bupport, but not, as it seems to us, very rationally on the part of some of those who express it. Was not Mr. CJampeit on his first appearance here one of the choicest of the Lord's elect, and is it not impossible for the Lord's elect to fall from grace ? We have 10 bis career merely an illustration of what Calvinism really means, and there is no reason whatever for those who follow the Patriarch of Geneva to show themselves shocked or 10 exhibit the least surprise. On the contrary, if they be consistent and sincere, they must acknowledge that the matter is just as it should be.

It is aLnounced that Mr. R. A. Loughnan, formerly c litor of the Lyttelton Times, and lately, for some short time, editor of tbe Wellington Catholic Ti mes, his accepted the editorship of the New Zealand Times under the new proprietorship. The Belection is a

fortunate one for the newspaper concerned. Mr, Loughnan deservedly ranks high among colonial journalists, and is certain to score a marked success in any position in connection with the Press filled by him.

The debate on the Financial Statement has concluded. The Government have defeated another motion of no-confidence, moved by Mr. Bal lance, to the effect that the estimates should be reduced by £60,000. A debate on an amendment, proposed by Mr. Monk, for a reduction of the estimates by £50,000 is continued as we go to press.

Our contemporary, the Dunedin Evening Star, has published, as sufficient without comment, a portentous list of the acreage held in the colony by companies or individual owners, with its respective values. The monopoly thus made evident is very alarming, and of itself must account for almost any degree of depression. None of the holdings given falls below 10,000 acres, and, as a rule, this figure is greatly or even enormously exceeded. We take as an example the following companies : — Auckland Agricultural, 102,117 acres, value £140,351 ; N.Z. Agricultural, 151,137 acres, £240,977 ; Thames Valley Land, 176,008 acres, £97,726 ; N.Z. Loan and Mercantile, 215,000 acres, £418,132 ; N.Z. and Australian Land, 239,800 acres, £1,055,277; Kauri Timber, 165,436 acres, £157,402 ; Wellington and Manawatu Railway, 179,329 acres, £247,698 j Bank of New Zealand, 262,954 acres, £594,427.— 0f individual owners W. S. Graham, Auckland, holds the largest acreage, amounting to 139,246 acres, valued at £38,219. G. H. Moore, Glenmark, Canterbury, is owner of 75,730 acres, valued at £325,686, the highest figure owned by an individual. 232 cases in all are mentioned.

Friends who have kindly undertaken to dispose of tickets for the art-union of the Dominican nuns at Invercargill are requested to be prompt in Bending in blocks and remittances. The date fixed for the drawing is now approaching, and a postponement would be undesirable.

We are requested by the Rev. Father Newport to remind the friends and sympathisers of the Sisters of Mercy who are labouring at their good work in Gore, that the drawing of the art-union, undertaken to supply their pressing waDts, will take place on September 26, now closely approaching. That there may be no postponement those who have kindly consented to dispose of tickets are invited to Bend blocks and remittances as soon as convenient.