CATHOLIC EDUCATION

New Zealand Tablet, 23 February 1911, Page 339

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

ADDRESS BY BISHOP GRIMES AT TIMARU (Prom our own correspondent.) At the opening of the additions to the Catholic girls’ school in Timaru last Thursday night, his Lordship Bishop Grimes spoke strongly on matters educational, directing special attention to what he described as a great injustice on the part’ of the Government in failing to give Catholics a grant in aid of the cost of imparting secular education in their schools, and also to the matter of not permitting Catholic scholarship holders to work out these scholarships in their own schools. His Lordship began by congratulating the Catholics of Timaru on the acquisition of their completed school, and warmly praised all who had been responsible for its completion. His Lordship cordially congratulated the Rev. Father Tubman, and went on to say that the completed school was a masterpiece in school-planning and construction. Referring to matters educational at the Timaru Convent, the Bishop quoted some remarks which Lord Ranfurly had made to him when they were travelling together from Timaru to Christchurch. Lord Ranfurly had described the convent as the best educational establishment south of the line — a high compliment surely, coming from a non-Catholic. Father Tubman had given them the keynote to the devoted work done by the teachers in the high and primary Catholic schools when he said that ‘ they were prompted by love for the little ones. They looked upon a human soul as the most precious thing in the world, and tried to he genuine Christians and worthy followers of Jesus Christ, Who said: ‘ What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul Their devoted teachers saw the image of God in the little ones, and tried to bring them up to be capable citizens, and worthy followers of Him. Continuing, his Lordship said that no power had a right to attempt to divorce religion from education ; _ it was not right, just, nor expedient. The Catholic Church did not believe in divorce, and just as they believed two people joined together in holy wedlock should not be put asunder, they also believed that religion and education should not be divided. The Bishop here quoted the remarks of another former Governor of New Zealand, Lord Onslow, who, at the time of the erection of the Catholic schools here, he said, had striven to lose no opportunity of expressing approval of and interest in the education of the young, especially where knowledge of secular things was combined with instruction in the principles of the Christian faith. And particularly did be admire the way in which the Catholics provided a special system of education for their children, and the sacrifices they made on their behalf. The late Mr. Gladstone was quoted as having said that any system of education which left religion in the background was pernicious; and several other eminent men, non-Catholics, were also referred to as having expressed similar sentiments. Passing on, his Lordship said it had been suggested that he would like to destroy our State school system. Nothing of the sort; he would not if he could. All he wanted was justice for the Catholics. Nothing more He asked no favors. Bv every principle of justice and fair play they were entitled to a grant. An attempt was made to starve them out, but it would never succeed. Some members of Parliament said they had ' a right to something on account of what they saved the State through teaching their own children, but there was not generosity enough in the House to give it to them. Since the secular system had been in vogue, they had saved the State U millions throughout the Dominion. Taking Timaru alone, thev had since the secular system began in 1887 saved the State £36,400 (at a very low estimate), or on the basis of the State, at £4 per child, £40,800, exclusive of buildings. His Lordship gave the details as to bow the £36.400 was made up;—The Brothers’ residence.- £1200: school, £1600; teachers (at -PIOO a year each), £12,200. Total, £14,900; girls school, £3OOO- - £1500: teachers, £17,000. Total, £21,500. These together made £36,400, which, was the amount, on a very low

estimate, that they had saved the Government irrespective of the cost of their High School, the Sacred Heart Convent, which had cost £70,000 since its establishment here, and adding this to the £36,400 gave a grand total of £106,400. Would any just or fair-minded person, Catholic or nonCatholic, say that they were not entitled to something for all they had saved the State?. On top of this injustice they were being treated to the indignity of being refused to allow Catholic scholarship holders to work out their scholarships in their own schools. At a recent conference of 42 inspectors, 40 of them said that the scholarships should be open to all-comers; yet the Legislature, those in high places, had neglected to give effect to that recommendation. Ho spoke strongly on this matter because he felt strongly; it was a worse indignity even than the refusal to give them a grant for secular education, and they were treated as though they were the scum of the earth. It was an act of criminal neglect— a downright injustice.