STRIKING RESULTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 50, 30 September 1892, Page 17

STRIKING RESULTS.

I experience of nations since the introduction nd establishment of secular education is not fctisfactory. It appears that in all countries be increase of crime has been greater in proporion to the increase of population than was spected. Secularists were never tired of prohesyng the opposite result. With increased itelligence as developed by secular education divorced from religion, morality and social and political progress were to be certainly expected. So at least the world was told by the new evangelists, who regarded religion as effete, and of no account in the development of peoples. Well, we have had an experience of secularism for twenty years, with the result that everywhere crime has, nevertheless increased in a larger ratio than population. Thus, in Franc' •"cording to M. Joly, crime has increased in the last fifty years more than 133 per cent., and is still increasing ; and M. Yvbrnes, head of the Statistical Department of Justice, states in an official report, that school instruction has had no effect whatever in checking the growth of crime. From Germany the same lesson comes to us, where, according to a very high authority, the criminal tendencies of the population are developing at an alarming rate, and Dr. Starcke, of the Prussian Ministry of Justice, warns the public against confounding school instruction with moral and religious education. In Italy secularism has been carried further than elsewhere, and Baron Garofalo states that it is since the introduction of secular education in 1860 that crime in this country has assumed more and more alarming proportions, whereas in England and Wales since 1870 crime has increased faster than the population, and the police force has increased at double the rate of the general population. And as to America, we have the Howard Association as an authority for the following : " American criminality is so alarmingly increasing that, whereas in 1850 every million inhabitants of the United States only contributed 290 prisoners, the proportion has risen to 853 in 1870, and as high as 1,169 in 1880. The census of 1890 appears to indicate a still further increase of criminality, there being 10,000 more convicts than in 1880." In Massachusetts "the number of criminals increased almost twice as rapidly as the population did," so says Mr Warbbh P. Epalding, secretary of the Board of Commissioners of that State. And yet this State is most remarkable for its secular system of education. What has

been said of England can also be said of Australia. So much for secular education and its effects on the morals of nations. And in tbe face of all this we find our statesmen and Parliaments still determined to maintain godless ot secular education, and still bent on placing every obstacle in the way of religious education and still pursuing the unjust policy of compelling all who give a religious education to their children at their own expense to pay, nevertheless, for the free and godless education of other peoples' children. We Catholics are certainly doing justice to our own children and to our principles, so far as they are concerned. But the question arises : Are we doing all the justice, to which we are bound, to the community in the midst of which we live ? We know that persevering in the course of giving only a secular education to the youth of the country must lead to their ruin and ultimately to the ruin oi the country. Under these circumstances, are we acting in all respects as good citizens ought to act ? Are we exerting ourselves to the utmost to endeavour to propagate our principles amongst our neighbours and to do all that is required in order to influence Parliament ? No doubt we have from time to time presented petitions on this subject to the Legislature, and so often to no purpose that we have come to the conclusion that presenting petitions has become nothing more than a farce, and have consequently discontinued to do so any more ; the Legislature having proved itself obstinately deaf to the claim of justice and policy on this question. But have we Catholics taken sufficient care of the registrations, and have we always gone as brave and independent men to the polls and recorded our votes, as we are bound to do, against all candidates for Parliamentary honours, who oppose our claims and trample on our principles ? This is a most important question for us all. And if we are unable to answer it in the affirmative, then the conclusion is inevitable that such of us as have failed to do our duty, are recreants to our faith and also recreants to our country.

The letter of oar Auckland correspondent baa reached at too late for insertion in oar present issae. We, however, take from it the following paragraph as of especial importance :— " AIL is astir throughout the Tarioos parishes of the diocese forming committees and collecting for a testimonial to present to oar beloved Bishop upon his return— about two months hence. The greatest unanimity is everywhere shown, and I have not the slightest doubt that the whole affair will be gratifying to Dr Luck, while at the same time redounding to the credit of the Catholics of Auckland. On last Sunday week the ball was set rolling by the Ponsonby parishioners under Father GillaD, and at the preliminary meeting £40 were subscribed, which sum has since been angamented. 8t Patrick's parish held their meeting on last Sunday, presided over by their zealous adminis* trator, Father Hackett. Messrs W. J. Napier and M. J. Sheahan were appointed collectors. £65 were instantly put together. The money, I 3D ay state, is really to be devoted to the erection of a new residence in Ponsonby for the Bishop. There is no more choice site in the whole city than that whereon stands the present antiquated structure designated as the Episcopal residence, which in the days of the Maori whare might have been considered palatial, but it is now certainly a reproach to the Catholics of Auckland ; and none too soon have they inaugurated the remedial process." Irish news this week is that a meeting of the Evicted Tenants Association at Cork has demanded a grant of a quarter of a million* to support the tenants in default of reinstatement— backing up their demand by a bint of civil war ; that meetings continue to be held for the reorganisation of the National League ; and that Father Humphreys has been committed for trial on a charge of taking part in the Tipperary election riotß. 60 far so good ; all except tbat hint of civil war which we hardly believe. A mattes of serious import to residents at Boslyn and its neighbourhood is reported by the daily papers. A young girl, we are told, in returning there one evening last week was assaulted by some ruffian on the road and seriously hurt. It is to be hoped the fellow may not escape detection, and not only the police but all respectable inhabitants of the district are bound to be diligently on the watch. In cases of this kind determination on the part of the citizens may do a good deal. When some thirty years ago, for example, a system of garotting was Junder taken by London roughs, the people assisted the police effectively in stamping it ont. It is imperative tbat the roads should be kept safe even foi unprotected girls. Mb Dkksem, we understand, has kindly promised to sing the " Pro Peccatis " from Rossini's " Stabat Mater " in the Catholic church at Lawrence next Sunday, where also Mr Hawkins will perform on the organ. The congregation may, therefore, expect no ordinary treat.

Thb Hon B. 3. Seddon delivered the Publio Works Statement on Tuesday evening, The sums appropriated for the year are as follows :— Railways, 4399,756— £30,000 for the Otago Central; main roads, £16,000 ; district roads, £16,296 ; roads to open op Grown lands for sale, £88,310 ; village settle ments, £5,788 ; roads on gold* fields, £36,765 ; public buildings, £103,687 ; water works on goldfields, £5,000. It is intended by the friends of the late Judge Broad, to erect a monument to his memory. The memorial thought of takes the shape cf a headstone — and donbtless many of onr readers will be glad to have a part in this practical testimony to tbe respect and regard felt lor * good and honourable man who has passed away. Mr M. J. Hunt is the secretary and Mr A. A. Scaife the treasurer of tbe fund, by whom subscriptions will be received in Nelson. Mr O. B. Haughton, Dontdin, and Mr J. J. Moynihan, Weetport, will also act in the matter. A GBXAT sensation has been caused by the announcement that the Governor has received from the Secretary for tbe Colonies, instructions to comply with the advice of bis Ministers as to making appointments to the Legislative Council. 3ome people are inclined to blame lord Bipon for unauthorised meddling. The Secretary, however, has only done what his predecessor did. He instructed Lord Onslow to act on the advice of the late Ministry in the rame matter, and that although the Ministry were on the point of resignation. Lord Bipon, then, is not without precedent in acting, and Lord Glasgow also has a precedent in doing as Lord Bipon instructs him. Ybs, we agree with our pedantic friend in Typo. That was lather a bad error. We do not know that we should have been better acquainted with our " Topper," but our " Keats," we admit, we should kave recollected. Perhaps the admission would be too muoh for pedantry, that accidents will happen in the best regulated families. But how does onr pedantic friend draw his conclusions? He is evidently a most valuable corrector of the Press, but no logician. He reasons from the particular to the universal. His conclusion, in fact, is not at all contained in his premisses. For any literary mistake made in the particular columns rebuked by him, so far as any schools are accountable, they are " godless " schools only— and, by the way, those who have had personal experience of the nature of these schools are best qualified to condemn them. But as for the declamation of " Fontenoy " and " Sbamus O'Neil "— " Shamus O'Brien " our friend no doubt intends to say, we do not know that anyone claims a very high literary standing for them. It is the sentiment they give expression to that is the thing — and that, of course, the more pedantic soul cannot appreciate. But come, now, honesty is the best policy. Would our pedantic critic himself know anything at all about these mistakes he has detected were it not for some big book of reference — most useful in a newspaper effice ? He himself has tripped, as we tee, in the only instance in which he has trusted his memory. It is " Shamua O'Brien," acd not " Shamus O'Neil "—but that was not to be found in the dictionary. If our pedantic friend will kindly put as in a way of having access to his big book we shall be glad to take bis advice, and, in future, to verify our quotations. Mr C. R. Chapman again preseotß himself to the citizens of Dunedin as a candidate for tbe mayoralty. The changes in tbe disposition of the local police consequent upon the death of Sergeant-major Bevan (says the Otago Daily Times') have been duly effected by the department. Tbe sergeantmajor's place at the oential station has beea taken by Sergeant O'Neill, so well and favourably known as having had charge of the North Dunedin station for many years. The vacancy at North Dnnedin has been filltd by the transfer of Sergeant Geerin to the position. Sergeant Geerin joined the force in 1872 at Dunedin, and shortly afterwatds spent a short term of service in Invercargill. At the time of the abolition of the provinces he was senior constable, and was then made second-class sergeant. He then became a victim to the retrenchment, and was reduced to third-class rank, finally regaining his old position about six years ago. He is probably the bestknown police officer in Otago, and has a most intimate knowledge of the criminal classes, who are well aware of his vigilance and sagacity. His place at the central station has been taken by Sergeant Keating, who has had 27 years' service, and now comes from tbs North. Thb "surprise party" which eventuated in St Mary's Hall, Howick, on Tuesday evening last, (says the Auckland Star of the 9th inst) was, according to the general consensus of opinion, a pronounced success, The hall, which was profusely and artistically decorated with evergreens and other choice flowers, the work of Miss Kilfoyle and pupils, looked a perfect picture, while the admirable lighting of the same called forth many expressions of commendation from a large gathering of friends. Monsignore McDonald presided, and expressed in a few appropriate telling sentences tbe very great pleasure be felt in teeing so many friends present, and concluded bis

remark! by saying be hoped that the pretty and pictnreeque village of Howick would be favoured with many more social gatherings snch as the " surprise party " had given that evening.