1.—13b.

36

[t. a. huntek

These figures ik'al with juvenile crime. Let us take prisoners of all ages received into gaol : — Proportion per Year. Prisoners. 10,000 of Mean Population. 1887 ... 2,639 ... 44-25 1892 ... 2,164 ... 33-69 1897 ... 1,884 ... 25-84 1902 ... 2,396 ... 30-03 1907 ... 3,091 ... 3363 1908 ... 3.009 ... 31-84 1909 ... 3,159 ... 32-51 1910 ... 3,242 ... 32-66 Hill ... 2,877 ... 28-35 1912 ... 3,023 ... 29-09 We may take serious crime during the five years ending 1912. Sentenced in the Supreme Court there were — Proportion per Yoar. Prisoners. 10,000 of Moan Population. 1908 ... 501 ... 0-53 1909 ... 514 ... 053 1910 ... 478 ... 0-48 1911 ... 403 ... 0-40 1912 ... 395 ... 0-38 Or lake another test, those in gaol on 31st December, in the six years— Year. Prisonors. 1907 ... 847 L9OB ... 879 1909 ... 949 1910 ... 1911 ... 873 1912 ... 866 But for intermediate and habitual criminal sentences the numbers would no doubt have shown a tar greater decrease. In illegitimacy our rate has fallen : — Illegitimate Births Yoar. per 1,000 of Married Population. 1886 ... 10-70 [906 .. 9-72 1911 924 For every 100 births there were— 1900 ... 4-63 1909 ... 4-61 1910 ... 4-47 1911 ... 4-09 1912 ... 4-28 Finally, judged by the only time-test of an educational system —the type of man that has been produced — who can say thai the New Zealand system is in the leasi degree inferior to that of any Australian State? Men trained under our system have reached the highest positions in all walks of life, and have shown to the generations that come after a model of good citizenship. Notwithstanding these facts officials and supporters of the Bible in Schools League do not scruple tii traduce the present system and its effects, thus: "White heathenism " (Rev. 1. Jolly, Auckland, December, 1913). " Helic of barbarism" (Rev. H. Robjohns, 14th December, 1913). "Your scholar (Mimes out of your hands a barbarian" (Mr. George Flux). "It degrades morals" (Rev. Dr. Waddell). "National atheism" (Rev. I. Jolly, 14th October, 1913). " Religious instruction was abolished from the schools without the people being consulted, and some decades of purely secular education had had inoai deplorable results" (Bishop Averill, Auckland Herald, 7th .Inly. 1914). "In New Zealand two generations have passed through our schools and the civic virtues of secularism have been taught, ami with what results? Anarch} is reigning in many places through the waterside strike, and special constables and soldiers from our ships by baton and rifle arc seeking to awe a crowd led by men who are Saying that fire and slaughter may be necessary to them to reach their end " (Rev. It. Wood, League Organizer. Outlook, 11th November, 1913). I do not wish to pass any comment on the strike, but at the time of writing the reverend gentleman could surely not have known that most of the strike leaders were not New-Zealanders : that a fair proportion came from the educational paradise of New South Wales. How differently do the chaplains of the Forces speak of the conduct of the men in camp, which they describe as being better than any they have ever experienced before among such bodies of men ! " He detested the present system with all his heart, and if he could not get religious instruction in any other way lie would have his own school and demand a grant-in-aid " (Bishop Julius, Christchurch Press, 26th February, 1913). "If through ignorance and misunderstanding the present demand for a referendum be defeated or refused the