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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 26, 28 June 1900, Page 27

A very fine example of the dog-in-the-manger policy is reported by the Southern Cross. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly held recently in Adelaide one of the members moved a resolution 'to watch over every movement that may be made within the province towards modifying the Education Aot, and to use all diligence to secure that Bible lesßons shall form part of the school curriculum.' But this position did not satisfy the Rev. Dr. Faton, who saw in the motion the possibility of some concession to Catholic Bohools. He opposed the resolution, we are told, ' not from any hostility to Bible-reading in State schools, but he had heard that there were several members of the legislature who were prepared to support a movement in favor of the capitation grant directly Parliament consented to Bible lessons as a portion of the school curriculum, and he held that it was better that they should remain as they were than run the risk of denominational endowments.' Briefly speaking, Dr. Paton's attitude is this : In order that Catholics shall not get some concession he would deny himself what he believes to be right and necessary. This perverted sense of self-sacrifice was, however, too colossal for the assembled Presbyterians, who decided to follow out the spirit of the resolution. It is worthy of remark that the mover of the motion, Rev. Dr. Robertson, ' thanked God daily that he was able to pay for his children being educated outside the State schools.' This sentiment is worthy of admiration, and, although unwittingly, Mr. Robertson expresses the Catholic position to a nicety. He puts into practice precisely what the Catholic body are continually doing, and agitating for.