REGISTRATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 51, 7 October 1892, Page 17

REGISTRATION.

N accordance with the recommendation of the Bishops at their last meeting, Catholics in various parts of New Zealand are organising for the purpose of placing the names of all qualified Catholics on the register of voters, with a view of a strong block vote on the education question at the next general election of Members of our House of Representatives. This is as it should be, and we hope all Catholics in this country will follow the advice given by the Bishops and the example now given in some places. There are various ways of doing this, and each locality will, of course, adopt the plan that will in each recommend itself as most prudent and feasible. Some will elect to act publicly and by convening meetings ; others will act in a more silent and quiet way, but a way not less efficacious. But, whatever may be done, we hope that all will act in this matter so as to secure our full voting power, and thus strike a blow unanimously for justice and fair play. At the present moment Catholics are subjected to plunder and tyranny in reference to the education que&tion. The law compels them to pay for the maintenance of a system of public education, from the benefits of which it at the same time practically excludes them, — for Catholics, without sacrificing their principles and subjecting their children to great wrong, cannot avail themselves of the godless education provided by the State. It it) iniquitous, therefore, to compel Catholics to pay for the maintenance of this system, and the refusal of the Legislature to redress their grievance in this matter is a tyranny. The assumption that the Members of Parliament are justified in perpetuating this state of things rests on no solid foundation, for it is an assumption that is purely gratuitous. The Members of Parliament taken individually possess no such power. The Members for Dunedin, for example, have individually no right, no power, to say to us : " You must pay for the free and godless education of our children, and unless you subject your children to the influence of godless education, we shall continue to fleece you." Well, we suppose these gentlemen would not be absurd enough to claim any such power or right. How, theu, can they in their collective capacity claim to exercise a right and power which as units they do not possess ? What is this, then, but an usurpation ? No man and no institution can claim the right to compel people to pay for services in which they have no interest, no share of advantages. The godless system of education in vogue in

this country is of no advantage whatever to Catholics, hat rather the contrary ; and on what principle, therefore, can the majority claim to compel them to pay for it ? We acknowledge, indeed, that the majority must rule, bat this does not imply that the majority, because it happens to be a majority, may commit an injustice and impose a tyranny. The principle that the majority must rale contains the condition — and this is essential — that the ruling is just and equitable, and if it is not just and equitable, such ruling is both an injustice and a tyranny . And this is the position of things here . The rale of the majority in the matter of education is unjust, because it compels all to pay for what only a part can and does profit by, and from which the minority is excluded both by their own conscientious principles and the mode of administration pursued by the majority. Catholics, where possible, establish Catholic schools for their own children, and school boards and committees are composed almost exclusively of non-Catholics, who, as a rule, refuse to appoint Catholic teachers. The present system is in reality » nonCatholic and an anti-Catholic system, practically excluding all Catholics from all participation in its teaching and administration. In these Catholics are not recognised, and, still more, are only known to be excluded. And yet Catholics are compelled by the Representatives of the people to pay for this unjust, inequitable, and tyrannical system, which ignores Christ and does not teach even the existence of God. There is no use in appealing to a sense of justice or liberty on this subject in the majority of our legislators, and the only remedy in our bands likely to be productive of good effect is to arm ourselves at the registration office by putting the names of all qualified Catholics on the register of voters, and to vote in block against the plunderers and tyrants.

The Host Bey Or Moran left Danedin this (Wednesday) morning for Milton, where his Lordship will inspect and examine the Catholic schools. The Bishop will return to town at the close of the week. On Sunday the 16th inst. his Lordship will be in Gore, and on the following Sunday, the 23rd inst., in Winton.

We would remind our'readers that in order to comply with the instructions of the prelates of the colony contained in their recent pastoral, it is necessary for all those who are qualified to vote to have their names on the electoral rolls. All that is necessary to insure this is a call at the registry office of the respective district, where the officials are ready to attend to the matter. Little or no trouble is involved, and the duty is imperative.

The Bight Hon Mr Mathews, late Home Secretary, is announced as a passenger by the Bimutaka, which left Hobart a day or two ago for Port Chalmers. It is much to be wondered at that the right honourable gentleman ventures to trust himself in a country where Horn* Bale prevails. Let us hope, however, that what meets bis view may afford him a salutary lesson, and induce him to change his mind —as he well might with much advantage to himself. An ex-Minister of the Imperial Cabinef, meantime, to whatever party he may belong, is a visitor of distinction, and one to be received with respect and deference.

The cable-man tells us that Lord Houghton bas had a cool reception in Dublin. As, however, he lets it slip tbat the cool recipients were the officials attached to the Castle, the importance of the matter seems somewhat diminished, We had been already informed that Mr Morley was planning to get rid of these people. How could it be expected that they would gush with delight on witnessing the arrival of a Lord Lieutenant in sympathy with him 1 There can be no doubt that the Viceroy appointed by Mr Gladstone comes as a persona grata to the great majority of the citizens, u> well as to the people of the country in general.

OtJE Wellington letter bas reached qs too late for ioaertion in onr present issue. Pressure on our space also obliges as to hold over the lecture of the Bey Father Mahoney, alluded to by our Auckland correspondent ; a letter from Shand's Track, and other matter.

In the report inserted by us of Mr Collins' paper on teeth, read before the Catholic Literary Society a week or two ago, the essayist is represented as stying " that the reason why females suffer more from decay of the teeth, he thought was on account of the food which they eat." What he did say was — " Females are more liable than males, because liability to disorders of any kind implies liability to decay of the teeth." He also said that he thought their dress had something to do with it.

Alobbhah Knill.s Catholic, baa been elected Lord Mayor of London, The appointment ib remarkable aa that of the first Catholic who

has filled the position since the Reformation. It is true there was a Belgian gentleman — named De Eayser, if we recollect aright— who called himself a Catholic, Lord Mayor some few years ago. He declared, on his election, that in his official capacity he would act aa a Protestant—it beiog pertinently put to him whether, should the call come during his year of office, be would dio officially. Bnt he does not count. He was a mere nominal Catholic, and notoriously a trimmer. Lord Mayor Enill is a brave man and a true Catholic, and makes open profession of his fidelity to his creei.

We would beg of oar readers not to forget the approach of the great event of the season — the concert at the Garrison Hall, Danedin, in aid of the building fund of the North East Valley church. The programme is an espacially choice one. The fact that it contains some music composed for the occasion makes it of special interest. Several of the principal amateurs of the city, with some professional?, and a numerous and well-trained chorus and orchestra, have given their assistance, and a very excellent performance may, therefore, be confidently expected. Mr Charles Umbers will sing a song written by himself — and will be accompanied by Mr Wb it well-Butler, who baß composed the music, and the orchestra will perform a gavotte composed by Mr A. Vallis. Other performer?, vocal or instrumental are, Mesdames Bose and Angus ; Misses Morrison, Blaney, and Moloney ; and Messrs Jago, Oorrigao, Packer, Jonec, Walker, Thomson, Mansou, Ibbotson, Woode, and Parker. There will also be an elocutionary contest between three boys of the Christian Brothers 1 schools, for prizes presented by Captain Toomey, D.1.8. (a gold medal) ; the Dresden Piano Co. (a silver medal) ; and His Worship the Mayor (a silver chain). No one should neglect being present at so interesting and varied an entertainment.