THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS BILL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 325, 16 July 1889, Page 2

THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS BILL.

The progress through Parliament of the Private Schools Bill has been impeded this session. The object of the Bill, we understand, was to give to members of the Roman Catholic faith the privilege of educating their children in their own schools, that of course meaning the requirement of some assistance from the State. At present in most towns of New Zealand the Catholics maintain private schools and have also to contribute towards the State system from which they may obtain no benefit. Anything is regrettable that may tend to create divisions in the State system of education, and the secession of any religious body from the ranks is not in accordance with the ideas of those who believe that religious bodies should strive to get rid of their prejudices and work better together. But then a great many earnest people argue that the present system of State education is a Godless one, and whatever argument may be used by such people applies with double force when used in the case of Roman Catholics. Whether rightly or wrongly, it is not for us to judge, but earnest Catholics hold very pronounced views on the subject of the education of their children, and they do not hesitate to bear the expense which is entailed by the carrying out of those views. They act upon a strong conviction, not upon the promptings of a mere caprice, and we think it no more than fair that they should not have to pay twice over for the education of their children. A lot of political cant has been dinned into the ears of members, to the effect that allowing any consideration for the convictions of Catholics means the destruction of the State system of education, but we are happy to say that there are in the New Zealand Parliament a few men of more en lightened and liberal views, men who can look beyond the petty feelings and prejudices of politicians who can see through glasses dimmed by the shadow of bias. Even if there were anyproba« bility of a concession to the Catholics resulting in the breaking up of the secular system in vogue, what after all is the danger ? We have been so accustomed to hear the parrot-cry about the superiority of the present system of education, that one might be led to believe that denominationalism would be a great curse to the country. But even denominationalism was not to be feared as the result of the Private Schools Bill, for beyond the introduction of the Bible in the schools the Protestant bodies have shown no desire for denominationalism, nor are they likely to do so. A barrier exists between the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches which has no real existence between the various bodies which cannot agree with the Roman Catholics, and therefore one of the obstacles to the introduction of religious teaching in the State schools would be removed when there was more unanimity on the point as to which is the right road to heaven. The passing of Mr Pyke’s Bill ought, indeed, to have preyed a complete stoppage of any further outcry for denominationalism, though it would make no difference in the efforts of those who wish to have religious instruction made a portion of the ordinary work in State schools.

We are glad to see that the member for this district, Mr Graham, paired in support of the Bill.