SECULAR EDUCATION AND CRIME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 4, 26 May 1893, Page 25

SECULAR EDUCATION AND CRIME.

(Wdiroa Guardian, May 13.)

Otra Napier morning contemporary recently published some extracts from criminal statistics, with a long commentary designed to proTe that the secnlar education system of New Zealand has tended to diminish crime and promote morality. The article in qnestion wai called forth by a speech from Archbishop Redwood, reported in the Evening Pott. The Herald proceeds to define the issue between itself and Archbishop Redwood in the following terms :—": — " The two principal assumptions underlying his address are that the edncational system of the Colony is rendering the population less moral, and that those trained in Catholic schools are more moral than those who are not." And then the statistics are quoted to which we have referred Wonderful results may be achieved with figures when readers are con* tent not to look below the surface. The conclusion to which we are asked to agree is so startling, however, to those who have carefully watched the habits of the rising generation trained in our public schools, that we are tempted to further inquiry, which clearly shows the fallacy underlying the Herald's train of reasoning. We do not challenge or care to verify th^e figures. Here they are, as quoted, to be taken for what they are worth :—": — " Last year, according to Captain Hume's report on the police force, there was a decrease in the number of offences dealt with of 441, a decrease of 71 for the North Island and 370 for the South Island. In the report for 1892 on the Depart! ment of Justice (Parliamentary paper H.— l3), paragraph 8 states that there was for 1891 a daily average of prisoners of 459 22 males and 58.39 females, a decrease aB compared with 1890 of 50*79 males and 9.31 females." The report says .-—"This cannot be looked upon as otherwise than eminently satisfactory." The percentage of prisoners of all creeds to population was only '079, a decrease of '006 as compared with 1890. On the general question of the decrease of crime, however, the official " Statistics of New Zealand " gives a table p. 154) showing, from 1881 to 1890 inclusive, the proportion of criminal convictions to the population. In 1881 there were 39*11 per thousand of the population convicted before the magistrates, and '43 per thousand of the population convicted in superior courts. In 1891 owing to a gradual decrease in crime, the magistrate's cases were down from 39 11 to 29 30, and the convictions in superior courts from '43 to '31." But how can these figures prove that the education system j is rendering tbe population more moral ? In the first place the record I of convictions cannot be considered an unerring index to tbe amount iof crime committed. Educ ited criminals are more rarely foond I out, and it ia qnite possible that intellectual education might increase crime whilst diminishing convictions. But, again, in what way can records of crime, as crime is defined by our laws be regarded as a final or conclusive test of the state of morality of tbe people? Surely it will be admitted that there are offences and, I vices of which the law takeß no cognisance, but which are even more destructive of the peace and happiness of society. If we want statistics as a test of morality, let us collect a recrd of breaches of i the Decalogue instead of offences against any code of human laws; 1 This view ia not put forward in support of any system of theological teaching. We are content to regard tbe matter from the standpoint of what is sufficient for the safety of society. Oar legislators have hitherto satisfied themselves with the punishment of those who directly attack life and property. But the growing sin of covetousness, with its developments of gambling, is a greater danger to tbe stability of society, Tbe Anarchists and Socialists of to-day are not always the poor and outcast of society. Often they have a soffiI ciency of this world's goods, but, like gamblers, are prepared to risk it in their fierce struggle and greed for more. Secular education instils no principle of regard for meum and tuum. Again let anyone attend our law courts, note the conflict of evidence, tbe hard swearing, and observe how seldom there is a conviction or even a prosecution for perjury. Will the Hera Id contend that the conrictions for perjury are an index to the amount of that crime ? Hire, again, the educated criminal has an immense advantage. And how often does the law reach the adulterer ? We can only just glance at the growing disregard of the Sabbath, of parental restraints and injunctions, and at the increase of profane language— things of which tbe law takes no account, but which must be considered in any fair estimate of the morality of the rising generations. Doubtless a large number pass through the ordeal of secular education

unscathed, but that can only be due to counteracting home influences or another kind of education obtained elsewhere. We have neither space nor inclination to follow the Herald through its vituperation of Catholics and Catholic schools, but it must be evident to anj impartial observer that they are robbed by being compelled to contribute by taxation to the education fund, whilat they are denied the capitation allowance granted to public schools. We cannot maintain that the public schools are open to them, when we know how miserably inadequate is the school accommodation for those who do attend. There is not a school in the district which has proper accommodation for resident children of school age, apart from Roman Catholics. At every Board meeting there are applications for sanitary improvements and reforms which cannot be granted for want of funds.