Correspondence.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 38, 19 January 1894, Page 6

Correspondence.

[We are not responsible for the opinions expressed by our Correspondents. ]

CATHOLIC EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR N.Z. TABLET. Sib,— We learn by recent Home news tbat the Catholics of England are about to present to Parliament a monster petition, asking that justice be done them in the matter of %id to tbeir schools. Might I suggest that we follow that excellent example ? If petitions, setting forth the injustice we are enduring, were prepared and circulated throughout New Zealand for signatures, I venture to say the result would simply astonish the opponents of denominational education. From various positions I hold, I am brought in contact with a very large number of our non-Catholic fellow-colonists, and my experience is that the opponents to our just claims are not to bt found among the intelligent, thinking portion of them, but amongst those who know very little of the matter themselves, and simply take for granted what a few scribblers lay before them in tbe Press. Among my own acquaintances I can counc a very large number who now favour our claims, simply because tbe matter has been pnt fairly before them, and they know that all we ask is a fair share of tbe revenue to which we contribute, not for the purpose of teaching our religion, but for the imparting of secular instruction only. Sir, I should have liked to have gone more fully into this question and laid before your readers what, in my opinion, are some of the reasons why our claims are not better supported by tbe non Catholic portion of the community, but consideration for yonr space deters me for the present. At some other time, with your permission, I shall again refer to this matter. la the meantime I hope the example of our co-religionists in the Old Country will not be lost sight of, but that some abler pen than mine will take the matter up, and I have no doubt whatever bat that much good will result. Thanking yon in anticipation,— lam, etc. J.T.H; I Roslyn, January 15, 1891.