A School Question

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 31, Issue 44, 31 October 1907, Page 22

A School Question

Thus far, Catholics have been permitted to hold a practical monopoly of religious education in the 'Dominion. It is always a pleasure to us to see some of our separated brethren rising to the level of euort and sacrifice winch, in the present circumstances -of our country, religious education demands. A Commission was some time ago appointed by the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch to consider the question of establishing a Diocesan Girls' High School. iheir report.was presented at The annual synod a few days ago. The Commission deplores the manner in which the system followed in secondary schools has ' pushed into the background that training which is requisite for women, if the moral, spiritual, and home lives of our people are to ibe considereu '. The ' Press ' summary of their report continues in part as follows :— ' A school which would fill both those requirements was a aesideratum many parents were vainly looking for in Canterbury. It was well known that the need of some such school which would impart to girls a thoroughly good intellectual, religious, moral, and domestic training, and ensure that oversight and control which were necessary for the proper formation of conduct and character, had led many parents who did not belong to the Koman Communion, to entrust their girls to the care of those devoted women who were doing so much good work in the various convents in New Zealand; but it was evident, if the Church could supply that need, a gjreat difficulty, and one which must hamper both teacher and scholar in the convents, would be removed. . . Provision had "been made for a boys' college, but nothing had been done for the-'girls. " I\ow, whether we believe or not in the advantages of religious education," continued the Bishop, " many parents do, and,finding no help from the Church of their own diocese, send wieir daughters to the Convent Schools, or to Church of England -schools in other parts, of the province. More Mian two years ago tne committee of our Deaconess Institution took the matter "into consideration, made many enquiries, and obtained much valuable information. Finding mat they coula go no further, they left the business in my hands.' If our Anglican friends take heart of grace and follow to any considerable extent the example of catholics, open primary as well as secondary schools through the length and breadth of the Dominion, and throw the benefits of religious education open to the. children of those who cannot pay, as well as to those who can, the education difficulty will be near a solution on right lines.