The Record Newspaper 23 September 1876

wrst7iishsatinCarir

TheHighSchoolAct. PublicInfecting.

ApublicmeetingofCatholics,and othersinterested,washeldintheCatholicBoys'SchoolHouseonFridayevening,the15thinst.,forthepurposeof adoptingamemorialtotheSecretary ofStatefortheColonies,prayingthat hemayadviseHerMajestytodisallow the"HighSchoolAct,1876."There wasanumerousattendance,notonlyof CatholicsbutalsoofProtestants,the fairsexbeinglargelyrepresented.On themotionofMr.J.T.Reilly,secondedbyMr.J.A.Lucas,theVeryRev. M.Gibney,V.G.,wascalleduponto preside,intheabsenceofHisLordshiptheBishop.Mr.Lucaswasunanimouslyappointedhon.secretaryto themeeting.

TheCHAIRMANsaidhewaspleased andhappytooccupythepositionin which,oftheirkindness,themeeting hadplacedhim;butheshouldhave beenevenmorepleasedhadhebeen leftstillmorefree,andhadtheBishop, whowouldbethefittingchairmanof themeetingbeenabletobepresent. HisLordship,astheywereaware,would havebeeninattendancebutforhisill health.TheVeryRev.gentleman thenproceededtostatetheobjectofthe meeting,andcalleduponthehon.secretarytoreadthereplyoftheRightHon. theSecretaryofStatefortheColonies, totheirmemorialprayingthedisallowanceofthe"HighSchoolAct,1875." Hethendetailedtheeffortsmadetorezonstructthatschoolunderthename andtitleofthe"HighSchoolAct, 1876,"whichretainedalltheobjectionablefeaturesoftheformermeasure,and onlydifferedfromitbysomeslight modificationsofstyle.Hewouldonly toucheversolightlyonthepractical partofthebusinessofthemeeting,but wouldclaimtheirindulgencewhilehe broughtunderreviewtheworkingand theresultsofseculareducationinvariouscountries,bothinancier.tand moderntimes.Thatsystemofeducationwas,astheywereaware,veryobnoxiousnotonlytotheCatholiccommunitybuttoeveryonewhohada Christiansentimentinhisbreast. Inprotestingagainstanunchristian education,theyonlyechoedthevoice ofmorethantwohundredandforty millionsoftheirco-religionists,scattered overeverypartofthehabitableworld, (Hear,bear.)AlthoughtheSecretary ofStatehadnotrecognisedtheirclaim tobeheardasscrupulous,conscientious ChristiansorCatholics,hislordshipdid regardtheirclaimtobeheardascitizens,andtheyontheirpartwerethankfulforbeingsoheard.Continuing hisremarks,theVeryRev. chairmansaid-Therearenodoubt, weightyreasonsurgingtheadvocates ofhighereducationtosecuresucha boontothecolony.Andthosewho advocateithavearighttodemand*one thosewhowithstandthemsolidreasons fortheiropposition.ThequestionoccursAreweopposedtohighereducation?Noemphatically,no! Let theschemeproposedviolatenoprinciple ofreasonormorality,andwewilltake ourstandbytheadvocatesofhigher educationatonce.Whythendowe opposethis"HighSchoolAct,1876?" Weopposeitbecauseitisunchristian, unseasonable,andunfair. (Hear, hear,)Iamwellawaretheseare gravecharges; butwebelievethey aretrue,andforthatreasonweareopposedtothisHighSchool.Theunchristiancharacteroftheeducationto begivenispredetermined.TheAct providesforit-"Theeducationtobe givenatsuchschooltobeexclusively

SUBIACO,SATURDAY,SEPTEMBER23,1876.

secular."Strangeindeedifwewere inaccordwithsuchasystemofeducationI WhatthinkyouwouldSt. Peter,theprinceoftheApostles,and St.John,thebeloveddisciplesayif confroitedwiththisAct?Justwhat theyansweredtheCounciloftheJews when"theychargedthemnottospeak atall,norteachinthenameofJesus. ButPeterandJohnansweringsaidto them:IfitbejustinthesightofGodto hearyouratherthanGodjudgeye." (Actsiv.)(Applause.)Seculareducationisnotanewidea.Itdatesfar backintheworld'shistory.Itreached adegreeofpolishwhichhasnever sincebeensurpassed-Ihadalmost saidequalled-beforeChristianitywas evenheardof.TheorationsofDemosthenes,inAthens,andCiceroinRome, willbereadwithpleasureaslongas therearementoread.Homer,Virgil andHoracehaveleftafterthemworks whichhaveeverbeen,astheywillever continuetobetheadmirationandthedelightofmen.Quintillianinrhetoric, Aristotleinphilosophy,Livyinhistory, andEuclidinscience,arenamesthat willliveforever.(Hear,hear.)"To theGreeks,"saysTemple,inhisEdu cationoftheWorld,"weowethelogic whichhasruledthemindsof'allthinkers;sinceallournaturalandphysical sciencereallybeginswiththeGreeks andindeedwouldhavebeenimpossible hadnotGreecetaughtmenhowtoreason.TotheGreeksweoweallmodern literature;forthoughthereisother literatureevenolderthantheGreektheAsiaticforinstanceandtheHebrew, yetwedidnotlearnthislessonfrom them.Theyhadnotthegeniallife whichwasneededtokindleother nationswiththeirownfire."Andof theRomanswearetoldbyoneofthe greatestscholarsoftheday-Newman -"thatteachingandlearningwasa departmentofthegovernment;and schoolsweresetupandprofessorsendowedineverygreatcityoftheEast andWest.NoyouthcouldobtainadmissiontotheRomanschoolswithout acertificatesignedbythemagistracy ofhisprovince.Nexthepresented himselfbeforetheMagisterGenus-an officialwhowasinthedepartmentof thePrefectusUrbis,andwhoactedas arectoroftheAcademy.Thepupil's name,age,city,courseofstudies,and lodgingwerenoted.Hewasreminded thattheeyesoftheworldwereupon him,thathehadacharactertomaintain,andthatitwashisdutytoavoid clubs,riotousparties,andpublicshows, Ifhewererefractoryanddisgraced himselfhewastobepubliclyflogged andshippedoffatoncetohiscountry. Theprofessorswereunderthesame jurisdictionasthestudents,andwere sometimesmadetofeelit."(Officeand workofUniversities).

Eastsanctionedprostitution.The templesofMylittaandofAstarte,and thegrovesofDaphne,wereevidences ofthissanction.ThereligionofGreece wasequallyimmoral.AtCorinththere wasatempleofVenus,containinga thousanddegradedfbmales,whoactedas priestesses;publicprostitutionwasthe worshippaidtothegoddess.The Kotytia,-nocturnalfestivalsinstituted inhonorofKotys,thegoddessofimpurity,-werepollutedwiththemost licentiouspracticesanddebaucheries. TheywerecelebratedinThrace, Corinth,Athens,andinseveralother partsofGreece.Therewerenofeasts morefamousinGreecethanthoseof Bacchus,which,especiallyatAthens werecelebratedwithextraordinary solemnitydrunkennessformedpartof theworshippaidtothegodofwine; prizesweregiventothosewhocould drinkmost.TheworstspeciesofimmoralitywasordainedbylawinCrete, Thebes,Elie,andSparta.Thephilosopherslaiddownprinciplesanddefended institutionswhichcouldnotbereconciledwithmorality.ThedivinePlato, asCicerostyleshim,inhisidealrepublicwishedtoestablishacommunity ofwomen,andproposedmanyother thingsconcerningtherelationofthe sexeswhichcouldnotbeevendecently mentioned.Theotherphilosophers were,inthisregard,evenworsethan Plato.Freelovewasconsecartedin AthensbytheexampleofSocrates, Plato,andZeno;andPlutarch,who givesusthispieceofinformation,candidlyconfesses ofithimselfbutindulgedinit.So commonhadthisfreeintercoursebecomeatAthensthatmarriageshad altogetherceased,tillatlengththecivil authorities,fearinglestthecityshould bedepopulated,werecompelledtomake marriagecompulsory.InSpartawives werelentandtheonlythingwhichlaw orcustomsoughtforinthesexeswas theproductionofhealthyandvigorous citizens.Weneednotwonderatthe treatmenttowhichwomanwassubjectedinGreecewhenweconsiderthe doctrinesofthephilosophersconcerning her.Pythagoras,whoreferseverythingthatexiststotheoperationsof twoconflictingprinciples-goodandevil -declareswomantobetheworkofthe evilprinciple,whilemanistheworkof theprincipleofgood.Theotherphilosophershavebeenequallyhostileto woman;theyconsiderherasanimpure andevilbeing,acruelnecessitytobe bornewithforthepropagationofthe humanrace,buttobedespisedasofan inferiorcaste,notsharingwithman thosegrandattributeswhichmakehim thelordofcreation.'

"WhereforeGodgavethemup tothedesiresoftheirheart,untouncleanness,todishonourtheirownbodies amongthemselves: "WhochangedthetruthofGodinto lie:andworshippedandservedthe creatureratherthantheCreator,who isblessedforever.Amen.

"ForthiscauseGoddeliveredthem uptoshamefulaffections.Fortheir womenhavechangedthenaturaluse intothatusewhichisagainstnature,

"Andinlikemannerthemenalso, leavingthenaturaluseofthewomen, haveburnedintheirlustsonetowards another,menwithmenworkingthat whichisfilthy,andreceivinginthemselvestherecompensewhichwasdue totheirerror.

"AndastheylikednottohaveGod intheirknowledge; Goddelivered themuptoareprobatesense,todo thosethingswhicharenotconvenient.

"Beingfilledwithalliniquity malice,fornication,avarice,wickedness, fullofenvy,murder,contention,deceit, malignity,whisperers.Detractors hatefultoGod,contumelious,proud, haughty,inventorsofevilthings,disobedienttoparents.Foolishdissolute, withoutaffection,withoutfiidelity,withoutmercy.

"Who,havingknownthejustice ofGoddidnotunderstandthat they,whodosuchthings,areworthy ofdeathandnotonlytheythatdo thembuttheyalsothatconsent tothemthatdothem."(Rom.ch.i.)

'TheyknewGod.Butthey likednottohaveGodintheirknowledge,Hiswisdomwasfoolishnesswith them,'andbecausetheyputasidethe knowledgeofHim,Heforsookthemand theyfellintotheenormitiesdescribed bySt.Paul.

Thissystemofseculareducation whichpolishedtheGreeksandthe Romansisallegedtobetherightcourseof studytofollow,inordertosecuresocial happiness,wiselegislationandthe highesthonors,whileitneednotinterferewithourreasonableserviceofGod. Menoftenadoptaprincipleandrepudiateitsconsequences.Thatyou mayknowtheconsequencesofpurely seculareducationbeforeyouadoptthe principle,Iwilllaybeforeyouitsresultsinthosecountriesinwhichithas hadthebestfieldandthefullestplay. Andfirstinthecountriesreferredto, andinthedayswhenchristianitywas unknown.Indoingso,wewillhave toconsultStrobe,Aristotle,Plutarch, Plato,Cicero,Seneca,andahostofothers. (ConsulttheIrishEcclesiasticalRecord, Feby.1875.)Theseauthorshaveunwittinglysketchedforusthebasedegradationsoftheirrefinednations. 'Theytellusthatthereligionofthe

Suchwaswoman'slot in thecountryofPericlesandPlato, ofAristotleandAlexander-inthat countryadornedbythegrandestworks ofsculptureandofarchitecture,andenrichedwiththenoblesttreasureswhich itisinthepowerofscienceandartto conferonanation.Suchwasthe socialstateofthepolishedGreek.Professingthemselvestoowiseweretheynot fools?Aneyewitness,andheaninspiredone,hasgivenusthefollowing descriptionofthesocialstateofRome, inthedaysofitsboastedknowledgepurelysecularmarkyou "Becausethat,whentheyknewGod theyhavenotglorifiedhimasGodor giventhanks:hutbecamevainintheir thoughts,andtheirfoolishheartwas darkened.

"Forprofessingthemselvestobe wisetheybecamefools.

"Andtheychangedthegloryofthe incorruptibleGod,intothelikenessof theimageofacorruptibleman,andof birdsandoffour-footedbeastsandof creepingthings.

Ladiesandgentlemen,wehavenow toglanceatanotherfeatureofthesocial life-theconditionofchildhoodin thosedaysandinthosecountries. Firstofall,birthitselfwasdeniedto many.Feticideisnotindeedunknown inChristiancountries,butitisconsideredacrime,andmeasuresaretaken topreventit.Butthepagansconsidered itnocrime,itwasresortedto,commonly, especiallybythefishandforthe slightestreasons,oftentimeswithout anyreasonatall.Aristotledeclares thatwhereverthelawpreventsthe exposingofchildren,itisnecessaryto limittheirnumbersbymeansofabortion. Hewouldonlyallowacertainnumber ofchildrenineachfamily.Thephilosopherspraisedanddefendedit."We destroyourownchildren,"saysSeneca "whentheyhaveanyphysicaldetect nordowethisthroughanger,but throughreason;forthereisnothing morereasonablethantoremovefrom thehousealluselessthings.""To slayaman"saysQuintillian,"isoftentimesacrime; toslayone'sown childrenisfrequentlyamostbeautiful act."Turnwetoanotherscene,notless revolting,whichwasenacted,tomakea Romanholiday,andinwhichaneducated peopletooksupremedelight.Iallude totheGladiatorialshowsoftheRoman amphitheatre.TheEmperor,Senators, andRomanladiesareseatedaround. Above,onthesecondstory,isthe popvlushigherstillthecommon people.Theprocessionofgladiators entersthearena-poor,simple,barbarians,capturedbyRomanlegionson somedisastrousbattle-field;slavesand malefactors,freeborncitizenstoo, perhapsknights,priests,orsenators, andevenwomen,passalonginthesad processionroundthearena.Theyare matchedinpairs-theirswordsareexaminedtoseeiftheyaresufficiently sharp.Apreliminaryshamfighttakes placewithpointlessspearsorwooden

,words,andthen,atthesoundofthe trumpet,therealfightbegins.Blows areexchanged,thrustsgiven,woundsiaMeted,whilethespectatorspressforwardwithbreathlessanxiety,thirsting forthebloodofthecombatants.One ofthegladiatorsreceivesatlengtha decidedwound;hisadversaryexclaims inaloudvoice-"Hochabct!"the editordecreesthatthewoundissuch itstopreventthecontinuanceofthe fightbyrepeatingtheword"habet." Thefallengladiatorholdsuphisfinger intokenofsubmission,andbegsofthe spectatorstohavehislifespared.But, no;theylaughathiscries,theythink notofhisdistanthomeonthebanksof theDanubeortheRhine,norofthe widowedwifeandorphanchildrenwho arepiningthere,deprivedoftheironly solaceandsupport.Theycryaloud forhisdeath,andtheconqueror,in obediencetothecry,plungesthesword intothebodyofhisunresistingopponent.Notcontentwiththis,and fearinglestthedeathofthefallen gladiatormaybefeigned,thespectators ordertheconquerortorepeattheblows, andcutinpiecesthealreadydisfigured body.'ThosewhoacceptSt.Paulfor anauthoritycanhavenodoubtthatall themiseriesnarratedabovebytheprofaneaswellasbythesacredhistorian weretherecompensethosemen deservedwhointheirpursuitofthe wisdomofthisworld"likednottohave Godintheirknowledge."Godpunished themforit.Hedeliveredthemup,not tothecrueltyoftyrants,nortothe ferocityofwildbeasts,nortothefury oftheelements,buttoenemiesfarmore terrible-tothemselves,totheirpassions tothedesiresoftheirownhearts. ThisistheApostle'sjudgmenton sucheducation. Thehuman mindcanalwaysreadilyrecognise therelationbetweencauseand effect; hencethemanytruismsthat sparklewithlightineverylanguage, suchas;thereisnoeffectwithouta o.tuse;likecausesproducelikecffeds whatyousowthesamealsoshallyou reap:thetreeisknownbyitsfruit Hence,whenwehailitnation,ora community-moteespeciallyonothat hadbeenchristian-apreytoinfidelity uncleanness;crueltywemustconclude ontheprinciplesofchristianphilosophy thatthisistheconsequenceoftheirnot havingpaiddueattentiontotheknowledgeofGod,andhisteachings-in theirsearchafterknowledgetiny divorcedGodfromtheirheart,.While weknowontheverybestauthoritythat secularknowledge,apartfromidii;iou, canprodueenogoodresults-thewisdom ofthisworldisfoolishnesswithGodthosechristiannationswhichhave hadthetemeritytotryit,havegiven additionalevidenceofthattrothattheir cost.Theyhaveprovedthatifthe christianbedeprivedofchristianculture,theresultswillhethesamewith himasifhehadbeenapagan.InstanceFrance.Bytheinfluenceof Rousseau,Voltaire,andotherinfidel writers,religionhadbeencrieddownin France-wassetasideinthecourseof studiesandseculareducationaloneheld inhighrepute.Withwhatresult? ConsultanyhistoryoftheFrench revolution,Ihavetakenthefollowing fromMaunder'sTreasuryofHistoryauce."Theexcessesandenormities ofthisperiodofFrenchhistoryare almost,indeed.,tooincrediblefin-the soberpenofhistorytorecord.Anew calendarwasformed;andinorderto obliteratetheremembranceofthe christiansabbath,eachmouthwassubdividedintothreedecades,thefirst claysofwhichwerefestivalsordays oflest.Afindaysafter,the municipalauthoritiesofParisappearedintheconvention,attended bythebishopandclergydecoratedwith capsofliberty,whopubliclyrenounced theirofficesofChristianpastors.The bishopofllonlinsthrewdownhis mitre,andpreacheIthedoctrinethat fdeathisaueternalbleep.'Various allegoricalcreations,suchasliberty andequality,weredeifiedandayoung womanofabandonedcharacterwasenshrinedasthe"GniddessofBeason"on thealtarofNotreDame,toreceivethe adorationofthemultitude.The reignofRobespierrewasnowinits plenitude,Theguillotinewasinconmintaction,andthousendswereinium-

latedtohissanguinaryvengeance."0 Humanbloodflowedlacewater.Herowat. paganismrestored.Andwhy?"BecausetheyhadnotGodintheirknowledge."Evenstill,religionisexcluded fromthegreatschoolsoftheState,oris onlyconsideredofsecondaryimportance. ThelecturesoftheSchoolofMedicine inParis,wereinauguratedin1865 amidcheersof"materialismforever." ThegreatLacordairewaswellnigh sweptawayforeverbybeingeducated ataschoolwherereligionwasregarded asonlyofsecondaryimportance."I leftcollegeattheageofseventeen," hewritesinhismemoirs,"withmy faithdestroyedandmymoralsinjured, butupright,open,impetuous,sensible tohonour,withatasteforlettersand forthebeautiful;bayingbeforeray eyesastheguidingstarofmylife,the humanidealofglory.Thisresultis easilyexplained.Nothingbadsupportedourfaithinasystemofeducation inwhichthewordofGodheldasecondaryplace,andwasenforcedneither withargumentnoreloquence,whilst atthesametimeweweredailyengaged studyingthemasterpiecesandheroic examplesofantiquity.Theoldpagan world,presentedtousinthesesublime aspects,kindledwithinusaloveofits virtues,whilethemodernworldcreated bythegospelremainedentirelyunknown tous.Itsgreatmen,itssaints,its civilization,itsmoralandcivilsuperiority,theprogressmadebyhumanity undertheinfluenceoftheCross,totally escapedournotice.Eventhehistory ofourowncountry,scantilystudied, leftuswhollyunmovedandwewere Frenchmenbybirthwithoutbeingso atheart.Iamfur,however,fromjoininginthecondemnationwhichsomein ourowntimehavepassedonthestudy oftheclassics.Weowedtothemthe senseofthebeautiful,manyprecious naturalvirtues,greatexamplesandan intimacywithnoblecharactersand memorabletimes;butwehadnot climbedhighenoughtoreachthesummitoftheedifice,whichisJesusChrist." (TheletterLifeof.PereLacordaire, Page17).Lacordaireforesawthe abyssintowhichthedynastyof1830 throughitsownfault,wasaboutto plunge,andpointedouttheonlyremedy. Atbeginningof1847behaildetected thestormonthehorizonandattributed ittotheobstinacyofthegovernment insuppressingthoseChristianprinciples whicharetheonlyfoundationofpower, andinrefusingtotheChurchtheliberty ofteachingandofassociation,which offeredtheonlyeffectualcounterpoise totheever-increasingfloodofevil passions,Thehorizonisdarkwith clouds,"hesaid,"andifnextsummer doesnotrepairthedisastersofthelast twoyears,Ireallydonotknowwhat willbecomeofuswithallthemischief whichiseverywherefermentingaround us.PoorEuropeisthreatenedwith terribletroubles,andmarvelloustosay, noneofthosewhoareattheheadofaffairs seemtounderstandwhytheirpeople areastheyare.Asblindasthey weresixtyyearsago,theystillrejectthe Christiansystemwiththesameprejudiceandthesautepassionasbefore. TheyseeUNevil,andareterrified atit;buttoacknowledgethat JesusChrististheonlytruebasisof societyisbeyondtheirstrengthPoor men! WhathardlessonsGodhasin storeforthem!"Therevolutionof 1848toldthem.ThemenofFrance areeducatedchieflyattheStateschools andthewomenchieflybyreligious;and thefollowingCriminalReturnsreferred tobyArtenuistiorVAUGHANshewthe difference:-TheseReturnsweremade upforaperiodofeighteenyears, front1829to1846.Criminalsweredivided intothreeclasses,-(1)personswhowere calledignorant(2)theinstructedwhocould readandwriteand(3)thebetterinstructed whohadreceivedahighereducationthanthe primary.Onehundredthousand(100,000) mienofeachclassaremarkedoffoutofthat numbertheignorantclasshas751criminals theinstructedclasshas942thebetterinStmetedhas1259.Andnowforthewomen underreligiousinstructionandunderthe influenceofthepurelivesandholyteaching ofwomenwhodevotethemselvestothe serviceofJesusChrist.Outofevery100,000 therewere(1)oftheignorantclass,193,or, 548fewercriminalsthaninthecorrespond-

lagclassdeprivedofreligiousinfluences(2) oftheslightlyinstructed,152,or,790fewer trikinalsthanIothecorrespondingclass removedfromreligiousinfluences(3)ofthe betterinstructed,88,or,1223fewercriminals thaninthecorrespondingclassdeprivedof religiousinfluences."This,Ithink,clearly provesthedifferenceofresultsbetween ReligiousandSeculareducation. Wehaveanothergreatnationthathasoflate yearsputoffitschristiancharacter,and,more thananyotherchristiannation,adoptedthe secularsystemofeducationforitschildren. IalludetotheUnitedStatesofAmericawhosepublicschoolsareopentochildrenof allpersuasionswithoutreligiousdistinction. Wellforthatpeoplehadtheyfollowedthe wisecounselofWashington:-"Letusbe cautioustoindulgethesuppositionthatmoralitycanbemaintainedwithoutreligion:" orWebster,whowouldteachthemtounderstandthat:-'Educationcomprehendsall thatseriesofinstructionaryldisciplinewhich isintendedtoenlightentheunderstanding, correctthetemper,andformthemannersand habitsofyouth,andfitthemforusefulnessin theirfuturestations.Togivechildrenagood educationinmanners,arts,andscheme,is importanttogivethemareligiouseducation isindispensableantianimmenseresponsibilityrestsonparentsandguardianswho neglecttheseduties."Accordingtothegreat AmericanreviewerDr.Brownson,MissFanny WrightincompanywithaFrenchmanwas thefirsttoadvocatethissecularsystemin America,withaviewtopromoteman'searthly happiness.Theyinstitutedsocieties,held meetingstoadvocatetheirprinciplesand Brownsonwasforatimeoneoftheiragents.

teeuthcentury.Inthecourseofhisinquiries hehasvisitedboththewell-knownhousesof pleasureandtheprivateestablishments scatteredalloverthecity.Restatesthathe hasalistofbothwiththestreetandnumber, thenumberofinmatesandmanyotherfacts thatwouldperfectlyastonishthepeopleif madepublic.Hefreelyconversedwiththeinmates,andthelifehistoriesthatwererevealed weresadindeed.Tohisuttersurprisea largeproportionofthesoileddozestraced theirfalltoinfluencesthatmetthen..inthe PublicSchools;andalthough,Bostc:,isjustly proudofitsschoolsitwouldseemfromhis storythattheyneedathoroughpurification. AndtheevilisnotconfinedalonetoBoston. Othercitiessufferinthesameway.Itisbut afewyearssincethesecondcityinthe Commonwealthwasstirredalmosttoits foundationsbythediscoveryofanassociation ofboysandgirlswhowerewonttoindulge theirpassionsinoneoftheschoolhousesof thecityandnotlongagoanothersomewhat simliaraffairwasdiscoveredbytheauthoritiesbuthushedupforfearofdepopulatingthe schools.ThatthedevilisinthePublic Schoolsragingandrampantthere,among thepupilsaswellasamongtheteachersno onecanwelldoubtwho,hasseatalittlechild intothemasguiltlessofevilandunclean thoughtsasanewly-fallensnowflakeand hadhimcomehomeinashorttimecontaminatedalmostbeyondbeliefbythevileness andfilthwhielihehasseenandheardand learnedthere."OlatheTyngGriswold,in OldandNew"forMarch,orBostonPilot April6th,1872).

Hewrites:"Theaimwas.ontheonehandto relievemarriageofitsburdensandtoremove theprincipalreasonsformakingitindissolubleand,ontheotherhand.toprovidefor bringingupallchildren.inarationalmanner, tobereasonablemenantiwomen,thatis.free fromallsuperstition,freefromallbeliefin Godandimmortality,freefromallregard fortheinvisible.andmakethemlookopen thislifeastheironlylife,thisearthastheir onlyhomeandthepromotionoftheirearthly interestsandenjoymentsastheironlyend. Thethreegreatenemiestoearthlyhappiness wereheldtobereligion.marriage.orfamily andprivateproperty.Oncegetridofthese threeinstitutions.andwemayhopesoonto realizeourearthlyparadise.Forr!!igionis tobesubstitutedsciencefurprivatepropertyacommunityofgoods.fliltIforprivate families,acommunity.3'7 wiv The Convert,chap.,7,8. FannyWrightanherFrenchpath,have onlycopiedfromthefamousFrench041,1 lionsarsu.Howtritetotheirpurposarethe PublicSchoolsoftheState:,floutwhich religionhasbeeneliminated.thefollowing exttaotstakenfromAmericanauthorswill tell.Mrs.A.B.Blom%(quotedby MichaelMilner.C.55.1t.,inhisbook PublicSchoolEduculion,p.98,),ay,inher book,miliiledft/crease(!/'Grim,"Ihave frequentlyheardwomensay.Idon'tMina havingOneortwochildrenbutnomorefor me.'%VitenIfirstheardtheseexpressietsI thoughtitmerelyajoke,buteventuallyI foundouttheymeantwhattheysaid,awlI wasamazed.Iamsentryt()addthatthe crimeofchildmurthriscarriedontothe greatestextentamongthewealthy.lit taimbridgeportamedicalladyinformedme thatshewascontinuallyappliedtoforthis purposeandalwaysrefusedinthemostdecidedmannerbuttoherknowledge,one womanpertutmed,onanaverage.frinn onehundredtoonehundredandfifty casesinaweek.Andyet.churchesaltonna inthisplace.**ThreedoorsfromtheroomsI livedinisthestylishhouseofDr.andMrs. Grindle,wheretherearehundredsoffashionablemurderscommittedyearly.Andwise thepapershaveteemedwithaccountsofthe unhappymothersdying,andonthelastoc, easionthechildwasnottobefound.althoughbornalive-andnothingdoneto eitherthedoctororhislady.""Thenumber ofmarriages(outsidetheCatholicchurch) haslargelydecreasedwithinthepastfew years.Thecrimeofinfanticideislargely increasing.Acertainspeciesofitispractisedinthefirstfamilies,andthedrugsand implementsforcommittingsuchmurdersare publiclysoldeverywhere,Physiciansadvertisepublicly,offeringtheirservicestoenable people,astheysay,toenjoythepleasures ofmarriagewithouttheburden.'Atleast 25,000foetieidesareannuallycornflitted." MWier,p.103.

Theimportanceofthesubjectmatteroffers, Ithink,anamplysufficientexcuseforthe lengthtowhich1amcarryingthesequotationsandtrespassingonyourpatience.

TheBostonDailyHeraldofOctober20111 publishedthefollowingasaneditorialarticle

Thecatholicchurchneversanctionedthose schoolstheyhavetheirown,andIknowyou willfeelitarelief.as1dototurnfrontthose schoolsofscandaltooneconductedasall schoolsoughttobeonthereligiousprialciple.Itisneedlestosayouritifortieintis notaCatholicasmayheseenbythe:style. TheeditoroftheNewYorkII(Toldrt.-Le:es anaecoantofaCatholicacademywithtime followingremarks loweverdivided publicopinionmaybeastoseeularandreligousschools-numatterwhatdifferencein opinionmayexistinthe,communityastothe policyofaidingordiscouragingpurelysectariansystemsofeducation-theircanbe butlittleoppositionfrontanyquartertothe verdictofexperiencegivenbymanythousand, families.thatthesedevotedwomen--the SistersoftheCatholic('hurch-atethebest teachersofyounggirls.thesafestinstructors inthisageofloose,worldly,andrampant NewEnglandism.Thosemattersofeducationwhichmakethelady,intheirhands, subunlinatetothegreatobjectofmaking everygirlcommittedtotheircareatrue woman,areimbuedwiththoseprinciples wlihithavemadeourmothersourpthieand boast,hoseofuswhocivilatt'atlio,ie pretettions.sneerattheirassumptionsmust acknowledgethattheSistersarefarahead. andabove. thesortof \N./itchProtestantismcanboast.Theselfstierit.Le,thedevotion,thesin,41e-initisletlne:s,thecalmtrustinaPowerunseen, thehumilityofmanner:Intlrateunseti-hues whicheh:tractetizethesistcrF,hasnurattled. inanyorganizationutthereformedfaith. 1hewornpbteed claimsoftheSistersof charityfairlybeforeInccountry,butthese sistersoftheditic!ciitbrancheshaveinpeace, victoricinolessrenowned,thaninwar. Educatingthinpoirchildren.directingthe untutoredmittoftheyouthfulaliensavage inourmidst,orholdingthebeautniofintellectualadvancementbrightandlimning beforethefemaleyouthofthecountry,sod beckoningthemtoadvance,theyareever doingagoodandnoblework."1)r.Storer, thedistinguishedProtestantphysicianof Bostoutellsataleonhisco-religionsitswha havegoneinsouncompromisinglyforthis frightfulsystemofseculareducation.In hisworkentitled"CrimintalAbortion, (31ullcr,p.272.)TheDr.says,"Wearecontpolledtoadmit.thatProtestantismhasfailed tocheektheincreaseofcriminalabortion..... Therecanbenodoubt.thattheRuntish ordinanceIlatilsedontheonehand bytheconfessional,andbydenouncement,andexcommunicationsonthe oiler,hassavedtotheworldthousandsof infantlives....Duringtenyearswhichhave passedsincetheplccedingsentencewas written."continuestheSallieauthor,"we havehadampleverificationofitstruth. SeveralhundredsofProtestantwomenhave personallyacknowledgedtoustheirguilt, againstwhomonlysevenwereCatholics,and ofthesewefound,uponfurtherenquiry,that allbuttwowereonlynominallyso,not goingtoconfession."Nowlettheaskyou whatisfreeandindependentAmericabetter thanancientGreeceandHome?Andwhy isshesofilledwithalliniquity? Simply becauseshelikednottohaveGodinher knowledge."

tetheseb.rribledaysfourBishopsamongwhom WasTalleyrandhadwithdrawnthouiselv,sfrtothe coffin:pejo°oftheCatholicChurch-134Bishopshoweverremainedfaithful-(Jr.Weathersitstoryof Modern.guropep.2141.

"Yearafteryearthechiefofpolicepublishes hisstatisticsofprostitutioninthiscity,but howfewofthecitizensbestowmorethana passingthoughtneonthemiserythat,they representAlthoughthesefiguresarelarge enoughtomakeeveryloverofhumanityhang hisheadwithfeelingsofsorrowandshameat thepicture,weareassuredthattheyrepresent butalittle,asitwere,oftheactuallicem tiousnessthatprevailsamongallclassesof society.Withinafewmonthsagentleman whosescientificattainmentshavemadehis nameahouseholdwordinalllandshas personallyinvestigatedthesubject,andthe resulthasfilledhimwithdismay,whenhe seesthedepthsofdegradationtowhichmen andwomenhavefallen,hehasalmostlost faithintheboastedcivilizationoftbenine, Iwillclaimyourindulgencea littlelonger,whileIgiveyouasketch ofEngland.Iwillnotspeakofitmyself. MontelambertspeaksoftheEnglishpeople inthefollowingterms,inhisworkentitled "MonksoftheWest,vol.iii.p.i.""In modernEurope,atadistanceofsevenleaguesfromFrance,withinsightofournorthernshores,thereexistsanationwhoseempireismorevastthanthatofAlexanderor theCmsars,andwhichisatoncethefreest andmostpowerful,therichestandmost manfulintheworld.Noothernationoffers soinstructivea,study,sooriginalanaspect, orcontrastssoremarkable.Atonceliberal andintolerant,piousandinhuman,loving orderandserenityasmuchasnoiseand commotion.itunitesasuperstitousrespect fortheletterofthelawwiththemostunlimitedpracticeofindividualfreedom. Lovingfreedomforitself,andlovingnothing withoutfreedom,thisnationowesnothing toherkingswhohavebeenofimportance

onlybyherandforher,LiketheRomanstowardstheirtributaries,ithas'shownitself ferociousandrapacioustoIreland,inflicting uponitsvictim,evenuptorecenttimes,that bondageanddegradationwhichitrepudiates withhorrorforitself.LikeancientRome, oftenhated,andtoooftenworthyofhate,it inspiresitsmostfavorablejudgesratherwith admirationthanwithlove.Buthappier thanRome,afterathousandyearsandmore, itisstillyoungandfruitful.Aslow,obscure butuninterruptedprogresshascreatedfor Englandaninexhaustiblereservoirof strengthandlife.Inherveinsthesapswells highto-dayandwillswellto-morrow. HappierthanRome,inspiteofathousand falseconclusions,athousandexcesses,a thousandstains,sheisofallthemodernraces, andofallChristiannationstheonewhich hasbestpreservedthethreefundamental basesofeverysocietywhichisworthyof man-thespiritoffreedom,thedomestic character,andthereligiousmind.How, then,hasthisnationinwhichaperfectly paganpridesurvivesandtriumphsand whichhasneverthelessremained,evenin thebosomoferrorthemostreligiousofall EuropeannationsbecomeChristian? How andbywhatmeanshasChristianitystruck rootindestructiblyinhersoil/Thisis surelyaquestionofradicalinterestamong allthegreatquestionsofhistory,andone whichtakesnewimportanceandinterest whenitisconsideredthatupon theconversionofEnglandtherehasdependedandstilldependstheconversionofso manymillionsofsouls.EnglishChristianity hasbeenthecradleofChristianityinGermanyfromthedepthsofGermany,missionariesformedbytheAneloSaxonshavecarriedthefaithintoScandinaviaandamong theSlaysandevenatiliepresenttimeeither bythefruitfulexpansionofIrishorthodoxy orbytheobstinacyandsealoftheProtestantproisientida,Christiansocieties.which speakEnglishandlivelikeEnglishmen comeintobeingeverydaythrociehoritNorth America.inthetwoIndies,inimmenseAustralia,awlintheIslesofthePacific.The rio yofnearlyhalfoftheworldflows, urwillflowfroththefountainwhichfirst burstforthupiinBritishsoil.Itispus-ibleto answerthisfundamentalquestionwiththe closestprecision.Nocountryintheworld hasreceivedtheelitisttanfaithmoredirectly fromheChurchorHomeormoreexclusively bytheministrationofmonks.Fromwhence camethesemonks? Fronttwovery distinctsources-fromComeandIreland." ThereisnotonethathivesEnglandwho mustnotregretthatsheislosingherreligious cleiractter.andtremblefortheconsequences. Mintelamberteitherditlnotknow Eindand.orEnglishmenhavefallen awaydreadfullyinafewyears. inthissensible.sober,endcalculatingEns:land, is."saystheTunny,astratumof soeietyatom.asiinaeeo.itoaileandisHoleo, hegli,1011,10,1ona:a,iiiel%sailibuotquagiiiirc Thereisnosayitrzwhatitmaybeterriblyin eatnestaboutto-morrow:andwhenwedo se-itterriblyineartmst.thereisnoknowing whetheritisterriblyinearnestwithgood raisinorfornoneatall-jastsome11011,VIISC ofitsawnimaeinationorsomeobjerit,ofthe grossesteisalulfly.'ibisisasaeconclusion tocometo,Wewishtobelieveinpopular cainestneseandtorecoeniseinsolemnityof tone.gravityofdemetiniiitr,combinedaction. the,naturnalvouchersfortruth,reality,and sense.ButifwebelievebothDr.Kenealy almstheDouseofcommons,themajestyof ofthepeopleisterriblyinearnestforacreatureofitsimagination,orstillwore,ofits owncorruptanddishonestwill."Iquote attainfromanextractwhichappearedinthe TinesorNovemberetleIsee.Thereisan alarmingpicturepresentedoftheirreligion inwhich.largemassesOfthepopulationare steeped.Forexample,inSouthwarkthere aresixty-eielitpercent.ofthispeoplewho attendno',laceofworshipinLambeth. sixtyandonehalfinSheffield.sixty-two inOdlliatn,sixty-oneandone-halfinGale,head,sixtyinPreston,tifty-nincin fifty-four;intheTowerIlartiliqs,fiftyIhrieawlone-half;inFinsbury.fifty-three inSalford,fifty-twoinSouthShields,fiftytwoinManchester,fifty-oneandone-half inBoltonfifty-oneandonehalf;inStoke, fifty-oneandonehalf inWestminster,fiftyandinCoventry,fifty.Of theaggregatepopulationofthesixteenplaces atoned.theaverageproportionwhonever enteraplaceofworshipisfifty-threeper cent..andoftheremaining,fOrty-serenper cent.,howfewarerealChristians!"And nowthatthesystemofeducationthatobtains inEnglandexcludesreligionoronlyatbest allowstoreligionaplaceofsecondarytinp.irt:owe,whatwillsixtyyearsmoredoWill therebeatrulyChristianfamilyamongst thin ifinabiefor'ysevenpercent? Irilesteinit,howeverthisisnotamatter forits,butIdomostearnestlydesirethat thosewhoholdChristianitytobetrueshould holdtoit,becauseitisinoneofitstruths andineveryoneofthem,agreatbreakwater ateriustthe,tideofinfidelity,andtheonly standteencanmakeagainstthecorruption oftheirownpassions.(Hear,hear).Effort, aremadetointroduceinourmidstaschool inwhichitistheboastfulaspirationofits promotersthatourfuturelegislatorsshallbe broughtuptomaturitypurelysecular-minded; -fromsuchlegislation,goodLorddeliver ns(Amen.)Wehaveseenitsresults.the n'stilteofapurelyseculareducation.before theintroductionofChristianity.aspurMy secularasthemostardentsecularistitti!dit desireit nwehere,einthedeeraclatien ofthepeoplewhotaughtitandlivedbyit. 'TheymighthaveGodintheirthonglesif theyhadlikedbuttheycastHimout,anti Hedeliveredthemovertotheworksofwickedness.Wehavealsoseenseculareducation supplantingChristianityandnoticedthe

horrifyingconditiontowhichaChristian peoplewhohadleftGodoutoftheircounsel reducedthemselves,Whenwearecalled upon,outofourmeans,tocontributetowards theintroductionandsupportofsuchaformof educationinthiscolony,wearehereto-night friends,todeclarebeforeGodandmanthat weprotwtagainstit.(Hear,bear).Religionislikethepreciousmetal;themoreyou haveofitthemorejouthinkaboutit.On theotherhand,themenwhohavelittleor noreligion,invariablysetnovalueuponit. Andthefacilitywithwhichsomeinour midstpartwiththeirreligion,withaview toobtainfortheirchildrenaso-called "highereducation,"isaproofindeedthat theypossessverylittleofit.Iftheyhave amindtosaythattheirchildrenshallbe broughtupinasystemofeducationwhich discardsreligionfromitsteaching.noone herewillobjecttotheirdoingso.Wedo notobjecttoamanbringinguphischildas aninfidel,orinanyformofbeliefliepleases itisnotagainstthatweareheretoprotest thinevening.Butwedoobjecttoanyman doingit,andwepayingforit.(Hear,hear). These,friends,arethebroadviewswhich Ihavetakensomepainstolaybeforeyou withreferencetothequestioninrespectof whichyouareaskedtogivesoseriousaconsideration.Inowdeclarethismeeting opened,andcalluponthosewhohavebeen entrustedwithresolutionstocomeforward andsubmitthemfuryouraffirmation. (Loudandsustainedapplause).

TheRev.J.O'REILY,fromFremantle, said-TheresolutionwhichIrisetosupport ismerelyanassertionofthatprinciplewhich duringthesemanyyearspasthasbeenour guidingprincipleinourdealingswiththe educationquestion;-itistheprinciple thatanysystemofeducationofapurely secularcharacterisfraughtwithveryserious ilatr.n2rtosociety.andthateverysuchsystem deservesatourhandsnoothertreatment thanthatofuncompromisinghostiltyand opposition.Theresolutionisasfollows

Thatthismetes;beingofopinionthatapurely secularsystemofeducationisinimicaltothemoral andwelfaresoSalfsociety,is,therefore,opposedto anysystemofpubliceducationwhichexcludesreligiousinstructionfromitsschools."

Havingreadtheresolution.itappearstome thatmytaskinproposingisdone.(No,no.) Inspeakingtoaresolutionpointingoutthose rea,01ISuponwhichthespeakerthinkshe hasarighttoclaimtheapprovalofhis audience.hisonlyobjectinviewcanbeto winoverhishearerstotheparticipationof theopinionshehimselfentertains;,andas youantiIareatoneonthisquestion,it appearstome,aftertheveryelaboratetreatmentofthesubjectbytheVery Rev,theVicarGeneral,itwould onlybewastingyourtimeand !ninetodwellatanyfurtherlengthuponit.

Iwouldsimplyaskyoutobearwithmewhile ImuleLoatomeetanobjectionwhichmay homaletothetermsoftheresolutionIhave jtetread.ThetenorofLordCarnarvon's le-patchis,1presume.stillfreshinyour IllsLordship,itsreplyingtoour previousmemo!ial,expressedaverydecided ',pinionitchier,totheprinciplewhichweso stronelyuphold;andasthismeetingtonight limobeeneontenet!forthepurposeofadopting asecondmemorialtothenoblelord-andas \Omitpsipleadoptamemorial,theytryto adoptone\\Itichwillbelikelytoinfluence hepersonenmobilitymemorialised-itmay besaidthatIantleadingyouonafalsetrack inaskingyoutoadoptaresolutionembodyingaprincipletowhichtheSecretaryof Statehasalreadyexpressedhimselfadverse.

ButIthinkyouwillallots-,onfurtherconsideration,thatIamonlydoingwhatis rightandproperwhenIaskyoutoaffirm thisresolution.Ourpurposeisnottowin overtieSecretaryofStatefortheColonies, orIlesExcellencytheGovernore.toshareour viewswithregardtotheprincipleinvolved. ThereareotherreasonswhytheHigh SauceAct,1676"shouldmeetwithopptoiionosoarpat-1Vil.,011Sofamorepolitical naturethanarealludedtointhisresolution, andwhichwillbedealtwithbyspeakerswho willwhinesyouinthecourseoftheevening -dealtwith,Ihavenodoubt,insoablea mannerthatifliisExcellencytheGovernor readstheremarkswhichwillbemadehe cannotbutbeconvincedofthejusticeofour cause,uponotherthanreligiousgrounds. Oleanhear).Myobjectinaskingyouto affirmtheprincipleembodiedinthisresolution.istoshoetheworldthatinapproaching,himwhomweexpecttoinfluencebythe justiceofourclaimswewillnot,evento gainhisfavor,abandonourprinciples. (('heers).Wewillnot.letitbesaidofus thatwhenWC,asCatholics,foundthatthe authoritiesathaute,andespeciailythenoble lordattheheadoftheColonialOffice,was adversetothegrillingprinciplewhich promptedustoopposethisHighSchool selietne;-Isay,inorderthatitmaynotbe saidofusthat,eventowinthefavorofthe SecretaryofStatehimself,weabandoned ourcolors,changedourfront,andtooka differentstandinthefight,1askyouto affirmtheresolutionnowbeforethemeeting. (Cheers).Although.Imayadd.Ientertain nohopeatallthatitwillinfluencethe SecretaryofState,stillforthesakeofconsistencyIaskyou,asCatholics.togiveyour adhesiontotheprinciplehereinvolved. (freer,hear).

Mr.GuGzut,inrisingtosecondtheresolution.saiditwouldbeunnecessaryforhim todwellatanylengthuponitssubject matter,inasmuchastheresolutionitselfconveyedallthatneedbesaidwillrespecttoit. TheVeryReverendchairmanhailtreated themtoaveryelaboratesketchofthedegradingis,tiltsofanysystemofpurelysecular education,aswellinmodernasinancient times.Nocatholic,bearinginmindthat suchasystemofeducationignoredthe

fundamentalprinciplesofChristianity,which mightalsobesaidtoconstitutethetruebasis ofsocialhappiness,couldacceptsucha system.Wherereligiouseducationwasnot impartedtoachildatthatagewhenhewas mostsusceptibletogoodorevilinfluences; whentherestraininginfluencesofChristianity weresetaside,andthehumanpassionswere allowedfreescope;where,infact,materialismwastheonlyobjectoftheeducation given;-whatresultscouldbeexpected? Theyboastedofcivilizationbut,afterall, whatdidtheyowetocivilization?Wasnot theexistingconditionofcivilizedsocietydue entirelytothebeneficientinfluenceofthat religionwhichthepromotersofthisHigh Schoolproposedtoexcludefromitsteachingt Letthatinfluenceberemoved,andwhat wouldbetheresult'?Materialismwould rearitsuglyfront;theguidingruleof men'sexistencewouldbe"Letuseat,drink, andbemerry,forto-morrowwedie?" (Hear,hear.)Theyregardedthesavage native,whopossessednoknowledgeofaGod oraSaviourasadegradedcreature;andhe wasafraid,iftheyexcludedreligionDom theirschools,thatwithalltheirboasted civilizationtheywouldbecomeequally degradedwiththenative.Ilewoula,ina fewwords,tellthemwhy.Alltheaboriginalnativewastaughtinhisyouth-hissole education-wastohuntandtofish,orin otherwordstosupporthimself.liemerely followedtheimpulseofhisfancy,killed whatliepleasedandwhomliepleased,and believedthatindoingsoliewasperfectly justified.Oncetakeawayreligionfromour children,oncecotfinetheireducationto purelysecularteaching,letmaterialismhe theironlystudy,:inIwhat,wouldbethe result?Weshouldfindthemgrowingup absorbedbyoneobjectin wing,drinking,andanimalenjeynient.The'whimsy lawsbywhichsocietyvasnowruled,and keptwithintheboundsofdecency,wouldhe firstrelaxedandthendiscarded;andthe

ultimateconditionofthealiltsava,semight becomeevenmoredegraditiethantheblack. (Cheers.)AsCatholics,therefore,itbehoved themtofightisitheverylawfulweaponin theirarmouryagainsttheinsidiccusappreach ofLiteenemyintheguiseofpurelysecular education.(lieu,hear.)

Theresolutiononbeineputtothemeeting wasunanimouslyagreedto, Mr.J.T.REILLYthenTO'0,andsail:Mr.l'hairman,ladiesnettectitlemen-Previousspeakershavespokensci :andso fullyonwhat,underanyeireireetance: conditions,mustbeviewolasoarprimary objectionstoanysy'tentofpubliceducation foundedonsecularprinciples.andonwhich theproposedHighSchoolisto121!found"I inPerth,thatIterve,intheprecutinsiawn ladiesandgentlemen,crudpleasurein giving,mycompleteadhesiontohetiewsnu thisimpormnripte,tion. liencu lucidlygivenbytheVeryBrv.Chairmanici hisopeningaddress.and:nayadd.additional pleasureinharingthisopportunbyofmi..ingyoutoconcurwithmeincondemning theproposedilighSchoolBill,furotherand additionallyweightyreason:whichhavenol beentouchedupon,or.atleast.only;cry remotely,lit,thespeakerswhohave'accededme. hasbeentrulysaidincetoeverymooandnation, Com,thenoonenttodecide, IntheSkil'eoft,uthwithfalsehood, Forthegoodorevilside;" andyouto-night,ladiesandgentlemen,have madeyourchoicelietweenttanItandfalsehood,''betweengood;milevil."byrejectingandcondemningmostheartilyandmost unanimouslyanysystemofeducationwhich ispurelysecular.andprotestingasyouhave done,againstthefoundationinthecityof Perth-atthepublieexpense-ofaHigh School,theprineiplesofwhichareprofeeseely secularandthoroughlyg.Hile-s.(Hear, hear.)Concurringnio:tl.trulyasIdo, andasyouilo,inomoLmningtheprop,,r1 HighSchool,forthereasons:Irahavebun alreadysoclearlyandsoplainlygiven,I amnowgoingtoaskyoutoewer3oarpoo testagainsttheHighSchool.onotherend morepraticalgrounds,andtheyarethese:(1st)becauseaHighSchoolisnotwantedby thecolonists(2n(1)becausethecircumstancesofthecolonydonotwarrantthe Governmentinexpendingsolargeasumas EI,800inthefoundingofanexperimen- tal"HighSchooland(3rdly)becauseina comparativelypoorandstrugglingcolony asisWesternAustralia,thepublicmoney couldbenauollmoreusefullyandprofitably employed.(hear.hear.).1ainsure,tallies andgentlemen,INeillnotwoundyourfeelingsofself-loveorvanitywhenItellyou thatascolonists,youarepoornorwillI, Iamcertain,malignthelandofyour:elation,whenhisserteliatinlemma:dive:dillanti prosperity,WesternAustralia,isthelaseand leastofthecoloniesintheAustraliangroup. Itisnothingnewtocall'WesternAustralia theCinderella"ofthecolonies,andshe remainsCinderella-1antsorrytosay withoutCinderella'sgoodfortuneto thepresentday. Notwithstandingour inabilitytocompetewithourmorewealthy sistercoloniesinthemarchofprogres:,we are,afterall,anundoubtedlypluckyrace, andendeavortocompassmeasures,andfound institutions,whichalesssanguinepeople, wouldcertainlyshrinkfrom.Weshould, however,asprudentpeople,viewomeelres aswereallyare,andnotaswewouldwish thatwewere.ItisthemisfortuneofWesternAustralia,thatherrulersdonotorwill notconceiveanaccurateviewofherwants andrequirements,and,itissimplybecause theywillnotdoso,thatWesternAustralia isthelastanti.theleastofthecolonies. (Hear,hear.)Letus,ladiesandgentlemen, rakeabird'seyeviewofWesternAustralia

r.sitreallyis.Ourpossessionsarevastindeed,amountingto100,000squaremiles; ourpopulationtoonly26,000,alltoldour revenuetost168.000;andourpublicdebtto nolessthan£148,000.Now,itmustbeobvious,thataGovernmentwithsuchanimmenseterritory,asparsepopulation,and consequentlylimitedrevenue,andacomparativelyverylargepublicdebt,musthave -touseafamiliarphrase-itshandsfull, andcanhavenomoneytoexpendbywayof experiment"onalmostanyobject,much lessonasystemofexperimentalhighereducation."Knowledgeispower,"itistrue andknowledge-higherknowledge-the wingsonwhichweflyheavenwardbut, desirableassuchaflightis,wemustbecarefulthatinourambitionwearenotneglectfulofthosemundanematterswhichare essentialtothesubsistenceandpermanency ofoursocialfabric.Beforeweundertake expetimental"highereducation,ladiesand gentlemen,letusseethatorehaveplacededucation-primaryeducation-withinthe reachofthemassofthepeople.(Ilear, hear.)HaveourrulersdonesoUndotihtedlygoodasisthepresentelementary ,Ientofethicalion,whichisprovidedfor oitofpublicfunds,totheamountofil,10.000 peralumni-aMtgeamount,ladiesandgentlemen,forasmallcommunity-yet,still, thereisacomplaintthatcountryteachers arenotsullichottlypaid,andthatschoolhousesaremuchwanted.Whynot,then, satisfythewantsofunderpaidcountry schoolteachers,middevoteanysurplus revenuetotheerectionofschoolhouses ratherthanonanexperimentalHighSchool? NVouldnotthatcourse-antioughtnotthat course-ladiesandgentlemen,betheonethat shouldLefellewedlcyaGoviii;untiethat hadthewellateandtdeiueinterestsidthe mealyinview hear).Thecolonists ofWesternAustraliaasIhavebeforesaidareasabody,poorantistrugglingtheremay beaFetv-andnodoubtthereareafewamonestuswhodesirehighereducation fertheirchildrez,but,surely,considering thecenclitionofthemassofthepeopleof thise(tuuy.;miltheiireespe011ofthecountry trice'',woulditnotbeanactofgrossinjustice totaxthewholepeoplefortheluxuryofa highereducationtobeimpartedtotheselect fir--totaxtheworkingclassesforthe foundationofan-experimental"HighSchool forthechildrenofthefewamongstuswho posesswealthtiolinfluence?(Cheers).1admit ladle,andgentlemen,thatitisthedutyof (lose:nit:ontofosterandpromote,and fur.her.tosupportpopulareducation;and I:atilt:4thawthat,theStateha,duneallthat itliasanyrighttodo,WhentheStalegoes beyenclthat,itgoesbeyonditsfunctions, :milwhenitattemptstoestablishandfound schools,forchr,seducation,theState, insteadofhemmingtheprotector,becomes thetyrantofsociety.Itisthedutyofthe statetofostercommerce,topromotethe agecultural,pastoral.andmineralinterests ofthecolony.byfacilitatinginter-communica:ionetweenthevariousdistricts,andby theensiememofjustandliberallandlaws. listidenythatitisthedutyoftheGumern'maltto11 t,orundertaketotransactthe ofamerchant,asquatter,afarmer eraminer.Astheyoughtnottoundertake anyofthe-cpursuits,soneithershouldthey taidertalscthedutiesofa:choolinas!er,or tecomethefoundersofaHighSchool-in :lilyco:miry,muchlessinacolonylikethis. 'litedutyoftheGovernment-ortherelation oftheGoverntnenttoeducation-isprecisely thesameasitistocommerce,agriculture andmining.TheGovernmentbyfounding aHighSchoolmightasreasonably enteruponanyoftheavocationsI haveenumerated(Hear,hear.)Supposingladiesandgentlemen,theGovernmentofWestrenAustralia,-c-tisideringthat themerchantsofthiscolonydidnotcarry ontheirbusiness-asdothemerchantsin moreopulent:nutprosperouscountriescarry entheirs-supposing.say,theGovernment initszealforimprovingthemodeofconductingbusiness,andprovidingthepublicwith superiorshops,wouldadvance,say.E1800to currymerchantwhowouldconfinehisbusinesstoonespecialarticle-ratherthanto thenondescripttrancenowtobefoundin everystoreinthecolonyor,toputitstill plainer,thateverymerchantwhowould confinehisattentiontooneparticular industrywouldreceiveasubsidyoutof thepublicfluids.wouldtheGovernmentbe justified-throughtheadvantagestothe generalpubliccouldnotbedoubted-in votinganypublicmoneyforsucha purpose?Youwouldsayemphatically, Ili) Youwouldallcryout-let basilic-atcoutinnetobeconductedon thesameprinciplesasheretofore,andlet imptulantstorekeepingbetherewardofthe storekeepersownindustry1211t1theresultof hisownskillpublicmoneyshallnotbedevotedtosuchapurpose.(Ilear,hear.)That ishowyouwouldviewanysmeltproposition todevotepublicmoney,andthatishowyou shouldviewtheactionoftheGovernmentin thematterofeducation.Thebenefittothe publicbyanimprovedsystetuofbusiness wouldbegreatandthefoundationofaHigh Schoolwouldundercertaincircumstances, beaboontothecolonybutboththeone andtheother,mustberesultsoftimeand theconsequencesofimprovementinour socialconditionandahighstateofcivilization.(Hear.hear).Wemayreasonablyhope forthearrivalofsuchanerainthehistory ofWestrenAustralia,butpublic moneymustnotbedevotedinany "experiment"tobringaboutsuchdesirableandmuchtobewishedforconsummation

Asyouwill,nodoubt,haveobserved, Ladiesandgentlemen,Ihaveusedthewords "experimentalHighSchool,"andIhavedone soadvisedly.Thename"HighSchool"was onlyadopted-Imakeboldtoassert-witha viewofmisleadingthepublic,andgivinga speciouspretencetotheGovernmentforthe foundationofaselectschoolforaselectclass. Nooneforonemomentcandoubtthatthe promoterswellknewthatthename"High School,"would,whileitwouldenablethem tocarryouttheirdesigns,havealsotheeffect oflullinganysuspiciononthepartofthe publicastowhat,fromtheverybeginning, thepromotershadsoskillfullyandcovertly matured.Who,Iwouldask,betterthanthe Hon.theAttorneyGeneralknewthatthe schoolwhichitwasproposedtofoundout ofpublicfunds,andwhichtheGovernment weregoingtodignifybytheappellationofa "HighSchool,"wouldafterall,atthevery best,onlyprovetobearespectableseminary, intendedasIhaveassertedfromthebeginning-forthespecialuseofaspecialclass. (Hearhear).Who,Iask,betterthanthe AttorneyGeneral,knewthattocalltheproposedinstitutiona"HighSchool"wasoily aflimsyattempttoimposeuponthepublic? Noone,Isay,knewthatbetterthanthe AttorneyGeneral,andhishonestconvictionscompelledhim,inthecourseofhis speechintheLegislativeCounciltoadmit thattheproposedHighSchool,was,afterall, "onlyanexperimentI" (Hear,hear, andloudCheers.)WellmighttheHon.the AttorneyGeneralcallthe"HighSchool,"an experiment!becausetoseriouslytalkabout foundinginPertha"high-classschool,such asHarrow,RugbyorEton,couldonlybe:looked uponbyanyonetakingacommonsenseview ofthesubject,asawildexperiment,"in fact,aperfectlyUtopianscheme.Thesepublic schoolstoo,beitremembered,ladiesand gentlemen,(beforeproceedinganyfurther) werenotfoundedbyGovernmentbutbythe charityandphilanthrophyofmenofmeans endopulence.(Hear,hear).Bearingthis factinmind,letusconsiderwhatsubjects aretaughtinthesepublicschools,-andbear inmindthattheproposedHighSchoolof Perthis,accordingtotherecommendations ofaselectcommitteeoftheLegislature,tobe conducted,astoitscurriculum,orthecourse ofstudies,tobepursuedtherein,preciselyas arethepublicschoolsinEngland.I wouldcraveyourattention,ladiesandgentle. men,whileIenumeratethesubjectstaught inthesepublicschools,andhavingdoneso, Iamsureyouwillconcludewithme,thatto establishaHighSchoolinPerth,ofsucha characterisbeyondallquestion,themost absurd,naythemostquixoticofexperiments. Before,however,goingintothecurriculum, itwillbeinterestingtolearnthenumberof teachersandprofessorsattachedtothepublic schools,andlearningthenumberyoucan calculatethecost.IfindthenthatinEton therearenolessthan54professorsand assistants;inHarrow32;andinRugby,26. Andnowthenforthecurriculum.Hereit is:-English,Latin,Greek,Hebrew,German, French,Italian,Spanish,astronomy,botany, ruraleconomy,history,logic,law,political economy,nationalphilosophy,jurisprudence, zoology,geology,geometry,moralphilosophy, music,andsoon.This,Iamsureyouwill agreewithme,isaformidablearrayofsubjects.Havingnowgiventhemeetinganinsight ofthecurriculumofthepublicschoolsof England,IwouldseriouslyaskyouamI notjustifiedincharacterisingthefoundation ofsuchaschoolinPerthaquioxoticscheme, andthemoststupidandsenselessofexperiments(Hear,hear).Woulditnotbean unpardonablewasteofpublicmoneytospend ituponsuchan"experiment?"Canthis colonyaffordtopayforsuchastaffof teachers?[Certainlynot].Canweaffordto maintainalittlearmyofprofessorsand assistantstocarryontheHighSchoolof PerthYouallknow,ladiesandgentlemen, thatwecannot,andthatitisnothing butsheerfolly,intherudimentary conditionofthiscolony,toseriouslypropose foundingsuchaHighSchoolasisincontemplation.Nodoubtsomewilsay,"0,but thePerthHighSchoolwillnotrequirequite somanyprofessorsasRugbyorHarrow." That,ladiesandgentleman,isamistake. HaHighSchoolisestablishedthecurriculum Ihavenamedmustbetaught,andifthesubjeotsaretaughtprofessorsmustbefound. DonotimaginethataHighSchoolcanbe conductedbyone,two,orthreeprofessors. Itisnotpossibletofindamanwhocanby himselfteachclassics,mathematics,philosophy,law,etc.No,ladiesandgentlemen,it isimpossible,andanyoneatallacquainted withthesubjectwilltellyouthattoexpect anymantopossesssuchqualificationswould beaboutasreasonableastoexpectthattwo straightlinescouldencloseaspace.Men,and especiallyscholasticallytrainedmen,areno doubtintellectualgiants.butlikeallfinite beings,thereisalimittotheirknowledgeand alsototheircapacityofacquiriugknowledge (Hear,hear.)What,letusconsiderforone moment,wouldbetheresultofhavinga HighSchoolwithasmallandincompetent staffTheresultwouldbeasmightbeanticipated-yourHighSchoolwillletlooseon societyaswarmofintellectualprigs-men whohavenothoroughknowledgeofanyone particularsubjectandwhoaretotallyinceableoftakingpartinthegreatbattleoflife (Hear,hear.)Aniceprospect,indeed,after theexpenditurebyapoorcolonyofthesubstanceshecouldsoillafford.NeedI troubleyouanyfurtherladiesandgentlemen byadducingfartherproofsofthefollyofestablishingsuchaHighSchoolinourmidst? IsitnotapparenttoyouthataHighSchool unlessitcanbeproperlyandefficientlyconductedshouldnotbeundertakenatall? Andisitnotclear-isitnotpatenttoevery one-thatthetimehasnotyetarrivedfor snosessfullyfoundingaHighSchoolin

WesternAustralia?(Hear,hear.)Letus lookatthequestionofaHighSchoolfroma colonist'spointofview.Weallknowthat ithasbeendecreedbyahigherpowerthat wemustallearnourbreadbyconstant labor,andweallknow,thathowever highlyeducatedwemaybe,wecannotas honestmenandgoodciteensescapefrom whatwisdomhasordained.Circumstanced, then,asweare,itshouldbeourdesireabove allthings,toimparttoourchildrensuchan educationaswillmakethemusefulaidpracticalcolonists.Everyonecannotexpectto occupypositionsofhonor;somearebornto commandandsometoobeyand,learnedas ourchildrenmaybe,itmaybetheirlotto toilamongthecrowdunknownandundistinguished.Andifsuchisthecaseevenin largepopulousandwealthycountries,what istheoccasionorthenecessityofattempting somuchinasmallcommunitylikethis? WhatofficeoroccupationinWesternAustraliarequiresaprofoundknowledgeof Latin,Greek,orthehighermathematics, Nonewhatever,and,insteadofbeinguseful, toomuchGreekandLatin,onthecontrary? wouldrenderthemunfittedforthehardwork androughtoilofaWesternAustraliancolonist.(Hear,hear.)IthinkIhavesaid enough,ladiesandgentlemen,toconvince youthatthiscolonydoesnotrequireaHigh School,andthatitwouldbeawasteofpublic money,andaninjusticetothecolonistsgene, rallytofoundan"experimental"High SchoolinPerth.TheresolutionIhavenow tomove,embodiesthesesentiments,andIam suretheywillnotonlyreceiveyourwarmest approvalbutwillmeetwiththesupportand heartyconcurrenceofthecolonistsatlarge. (Hear,hear.)TheresolutionIhavebeenentrustedwithisasfollows:-

eThatthismeeting,havingdulyconsideredthe financialpositionandmaterialprospectsofthis colonyisunanimouslyofopinion,thatthepublicrevenuecouldbemuchmoreusefullyandproitably expendedthaninendeavoringtoestablishinthe cityofPerthan"experimental"HighSchool."

Mr.ScoLLARDbrieflyemendedtheresolution.HethoughttheProtestantsaswellas Catholicsshouldraisetheirvoicesagainst themisappropriationofthepublicfunds herecontemplated.Theresolutionwas cordiallyandunanimouslyaffirmed.

Mr.LUCASsaid-VeryRev.sir,ladies andgentlemen;whenIwasaskedtomove aresolutionatthismeetingthisevening, andoneoftheresolutions,too,whichI regardedasamongthemostimportanttobe placedbeforeit,IcertainlythoughtIshould havehadtomakeaspeech.Iamagreeably relieved,however,tofindthatreallynothing hasbeenleftmetospeakabpnt.When listeningtomyfriendMr.Reilly,Ibeganto fancythathemusthavebeenonthecommitteewhopreparedtheresolutionstobe submittedtoryouraffirmation-thathewas inthesecretastowhatweweregoingto propose-andthathethoughthemightas welltakeuponhimselfthefunctionsofthe wholemeeting,andaddresshimselfevery propositioninonespeech.(Hear,hear.)I reallythinkhedidverywiselyincomingto thatconclusionIknow,atallevents,he hasrelievedmefromthedischargeofwhat Iconsideredaveryimportanttask,and whichIlookedforwardtowithverygrave apprehension.1considered,infact,thatthe resolutionentrustedtooneembodiedthe wholepoliticalaspectofthequestion-that itembracedwithinitselfthecondensed reasoningofallthathadbeensaidorwritten uponthesubject-thatitwasinitsterms andexpressionsocomprehensivethat,in reality,itwouldleaveme,orMr.Reilly,or anyoneelse,verylittletosay.Theresolutionistothefollowingeffect

Thatintheopinionofthismeeting,theexisting systemofpubliceducationisadaptedtotherequirementsofthecolony,andthatwhentheresourcesof thecolonyjustifyStateAidtosupplementvoluntary effortsinthecauseofhighereducation,itshallbe grantedonlytothosesehoolsthecurriculumofwhich isinadvanceofthehigheststandards,theelementaryschools,andupontheprinciplesofthepresent ElementaryEducationAct."

Now,IthinkIwasrightintellingyouthat thisresolutionisreallyamostcomprehensiveone.Inthefirstplace,itassertsthat ourpresentElementaryEducationAct suppliesallthatisabsolutelynecessaryfor thepresenteducationalrequirementsofthe colony.(Hear,hear.)Ithinkmyfriend Mr.Reillyhasveryclearlyshownyouthat wearenotinapositiontopayformorethan necessaries,andthatthereforeitwould unquestionablybedishonestonourpartto attempttoobtainforourselvesluxuriesevenintellectualluxuries-attheexpenseof thosewhocouldnotparticipateintheir enjoyment.(Hear,hear.)Intakingupthe positionIdowithregardtothisquestionof highereducation,itmustnotforamoment beunderstood-and,whileonthispoint,I wishmostemphaticallytoendorsewhathas fallenfromourVeryReverendchairman andfromMr.Reilly-thatwearenot assembledhereto-nighttoprotestagainst highereducationasamatterofgeneral principle,butratherunderconditionswhich appeartoustorenderitnotonlyunnecessarybutunjust.(Hear,hear.)Wearenot heretodeclarethatwedisapproveofhigher educationandsuperiorcultureinthe abstract;onthecontrary,Ibelievethereis noonepresentherethisevening-thereis noonewhohasbeeninterestedinthepromotionofthismeeting-whoisnot,inreality afirmadvocatenotonlyforhighereducation butfortheveryhighestintellectualculture. (Cheers.)Butwewantthathighereducationonajust,onanhonestprinciple.(Hear, hear.)Formyself,Icantrulysaythat reallytheonlypleasures-atallevents,the greatestpleasures-Ihaveinthecolonythe conditionofwhichMr.Reillyhassofaithfullydepicted,arisefromthesmallmodicum ofhighereducationthatIpossess,andfrom theoccasionalchanceofimpartingitto otherswhomaydesireit,butwhodonot

possessit.Well,then,westartwiththe declarationthatweconsidertheexisting systemofelementaryeducationasamply adequatetothepresentrequirementsand necessitiesofthecolonyandthat,when thetimeldoesarriveatwhichthecountrycan affordsuchaluxury,whenthepeoplethemselvescryoutforit,andmanifestareadiness tocomeforwardtoinitiatesuchasystem (asinthecaseofQueensland),andto demandfromtheGovernmentsuchassistance aswillenablethemtoparticipateinthe boon,suchassistanceshallonlybegranted tosuchschoolsasshall,infact,takeuptheir curriculumatthemostadvancedpointof thecurricalnmofexistingschools,andupon theprincipleoftheexistingEducationAct. (Hear,hear.)WhatdoImeanbythe principleofthepresentEducationAct?I willtellyouwhatImean.Yonareall awarethatundertheexistingenactment, therearecertainschoolsbuilt,established, andfurnished-and,toaconsiderableextent, supported-eitherbyprivateindividualsor bydenominationalbodies.Theseschools, undercertainconditionsreceiveacertain amountofsubsidyfromtheGovernment. TheState,however,hasnothingwhatever todowiththereligiouseducationimparted insuchschools;itsimplysaysthereshall beinyourtime-tableacertainportionofthe dayallottedtoreligiouseducation,butyou mustsatisfytheGovernmentthatthesecular instructionimpartedinlourschoolsreaches acertainstandard.Thisistheprinciplewe wishtoseeextendedtomoreadvanced schools,whenthetimearrivesforintroducingsuchinstitutionsintothecolony: when,infact,thecircumstancesandrequirementsofthecolonywarrantsuchastep beingtaken.(Hear,hear.)But,toreturn faramoment,tothefirstproposition embodiedintheresolutionbeforethe meeting.Whatisthestandardofinstructionprovidedforundertheexisting ElementaryEducationAct?Iseearound meto-night,Imaysay,menrepresentative oftheintelligencean.ibusinesspowerofthe colony,andIwouldaskthemostintelligent amongthem,howmanyofthemwouldbe abletopassasuccessfulexaminationinthe seventhstandardoftheElementaryEducationActnowinoperation?Gotoyour LegislativeCouncil;selectfromamongst ourcollectivewisdom,themostindependent, themostpractical,themostpopular,the mosttrulyrepresentativemen,andhow manyofthemifconfrontedbytheInspector ofSchools,wouldbeabletopassanexaminationinthehigheststandardofinstructien impartedinourexistingschools?Iam afraidtheirnumberworldbeveryfew;and Ilookuponthatasapracticaltestofwhat ourpresenteducationActprovides,andas demonstrativeofthefactthatthereisuo immediatenecessityforproviding,atpublic expense,ahigherstandard.(Hear,hear). LookatourGovernmentoffices,ourmerchants'offices,andourBanks,andwhatdo wefind?Theprincipalpositionsinall theseservicesarefilledbyyoungmen whowererearedinthecolonyand whohadnochanceofobtainingany highereducationthanisalreadyaffordedIn thecolony,orevenwasaffordedwhenthe elementarysystemwasfarmoreimperfect thanitisatpresent.(Hear,hear.)Now whatistheobjectoftheproposedhigher education? HisExcellencytheGovernor, inaddressingtheassembledwisdomofthe nation,attheopeningoftheLegislative sessionof1875-whenthishighschool schemewasfirstmooted-saidthattheobject inviewwastoenablethechildrenof coloniststoattaintothatpositioninsociety whichahigherclassofeducationthanthe colonyatpresentaffordswoulddoubtless enablethemtodo.Now,Ishouldliketo knowhowinthepresentsocialandmaterial conditionofWesternAustralia,ourcolonial youthsaretoattaintoanyhigherposition thanatpresentwithintheirreach.Isit inourmercantilehouses,inourbanks,orin oarcivilservice?Doourmerchantscomplainofalackofeducationonthepartof theirclerksandassistants?Aretheoperationsofourbankscrippledforthewantof highereducationamongsttheemployesIs ourpublicserviceinefficientlyconducted, withtheexistingeducationalattainmentsofthosesoemployed? (Hear, hear,)Ihavealreadytoldyou-othershave toldyou-hon.membersoftheLegislative Councilsupportmeintheopinion-the unitedPressofthecolonyendorsethe sentiment-thatourpresentsystemof educationisamplyadvancedenoughand "high"enoughtoenableouryoungmento attaintoanypositionwithintheirreachin thiscolony.Iwillgosofarastosaythat anycolonialyouthwhohasmasteredthe higheststandardprovidedforinthepresent schoolcurriculum,may,ifhechooses,so improvehimselfwiththeaidofthe librariesconnectedwithourMechanics'Institutesandkindredliteraryassociationsas toqualifyhimselfevenfortheofficeof ColonialSecretary-themostimportant position,Iapprehend,inthecolonyatthe presentmoment.Bythebye,Iwonderif thehon.gentlemanwhonowsoworthilyfills thatofficewouldcomeoutwithflyingcolors ifdemandedtopassanexaminationinthe seventhstandard.(Hear,hearandlaughter.) Ibelievehispredecessor-anequallyefficient officer-franklyacknowledgedonone occasionhisinabilitytodoso,andweknow whatsortofmanhewas.Theremaybe certainpersonsamongstusdesirousof havingtheirchildreneducatedasprofessional menifso,theyoughtsurelytopayforthe verysuperioreducationthatisrequiredfor suchapurpose.Letussupposefora momentOatwehadestablishedinour midstahighschoolwhereouryoungmen couldqualifyforthelearnedprofessions, Iwillaskyouwhatseemstomeavery

practicalquestion,-hewmanyprofessional meninthecourseofayearwouldthis colonyinitspresentposition,orinthe positionitislikelytoattainwithinthenext tenyears,beabletoabsorb?Itiscapable ofabsorbingonebrand-newdoctor,and lawyer,andengineerannually,supposing thisproposededucationalmanufactorywere capableofturningoutaspankingnew doctor,lawyer,andengineer,civilorotherwise,everyyear?Idoubtit.Whatthen? Simplythisthesedoctorsandlawyersand engineers,findingnoprofitableemployment fortheirprofessionaltalenthere,wouldgoto theneighboringcoloniesandelsewherein questof"freshfieldsandpasturesnew and,forthelifeofme,Icannotseewhythe taxpayersofthiscolonyshouldbecalled upontopayfortheeducationof"competent men"forthe"otherside."(Cheersand laughter.)What,afterall,Iwouldaskis tobethecurriculumattheproposedHigh School-the"AdvanoedInfantSchool"as onehon.memberdesignateditinhisplace intheHouse?Wehaven'titbeforeus. Thegovermenthaveverywiselykeptusin thedarkonthispoint.Someinklinghoweverofthecurriculummaybegathered fromtheprovisionsoftheActof1575. Takingitasourstandard;noyounggentlemancanthinkofmatriculatingattheHigh Schooluntilhehasattainedthematureage ofnineyears,noreventhenunlesehebeable toreadandwrite.(Laughter.)Trulya veryhighclassschool.Itisnotevencontemplated,sofaraswecansee,thatacandidateforadmissionshallhaveformed acquaintancewithsuchasimpleaffairas "Hic,hoc,hoc."Itisnotevenrequired that"thecurlyheadeddarling"shallbe abletoinformhisexaminerthatbedoesnot belongtothe"OiPolloi;"thathisacquaintancewith"tupto"shallextendbeyondthe practicalexperiencesuggestedbytheapplicationofthiscommonferuleofthecommon schoolmasterofthecommonschooltohis head'santipodes.(Laughter.)"TheHigh SchoolAct,1876"providesthatthegoverningbodyshalldefinethecurriculumofthe school.Nowitisnotatallimprobablethat someofthesegentlemenmayreallyknowas muchaboutthecurriculumofahighschool asweknowthatoneofthemdoesabout,the constitutionofOxfordandCambridge,as disclosedbyhisspeechintheCouncil;and Idothinkwemayentertaingravesuspicionastowhatthecharacterofthe curriculumofourgrandHighSchoolmay possiblybe.Wehavebeeninformedby anotherhon.member,-aprominent supporterofthescheme-that"thebill beforetheHousewasessentiallyapoor man'sbill,"Now,supposingforamoment thatthecurriculumistobeanythinglike thatcontemplatedinthe"HighSchoolBill, 1875,"andthattheschoolfeesareexpected tobe£12perannum,howcansuchaschool beregardedasapoorman'sschool,whenthe poormannowgetshischildeducated,toa standardfullyliberalenoughtomeetall localrequirements,atacostoffourpencea week?Wasittomakeapoorman'sschool, theCouncilincreasedtheannualpayment from£9to£12.Whenthehon.memberfor Wellingtontermedtheproposedselectseminarya"poorman'sschool,"thehon.gentleman madeamistakeheshouldhavedesignated ittheshabby-genteelman'sschool.(Hear, hear.)Thelongandshortofitis,thisHigh SchoolActisapieceofclasslegislation quiteinaccordwiththewholeofthelegislationofthepastsession.Thatlegislation hasbeenofthemostretrogadecharacter. WhiletheMotherCountryincommonwith allhighlycivilisedcommunitieshasbeen yearafteryeargraduallybutsurelybreaking downthestatutorybarriersofsocialdistinctionbetweenthevariousclassesofsociety, andleavingthemtotheirnaturalclassificationoftalent,wealth,andpersonalexcellence,ourlegislaturehasbeenindustriously workingtocreateinourmidst,barriersof socialdistinctionheretoforeunknowninthe colonies.(Hear,hear.)Wehavehad duringthelatesession,classlegislationfor birdsandbeastsandfishes;wehavehad classlegislationinconnectionwithourland regulationswehavehadclasslegislation withrespecttolucifermatches,andwith regardtomatchesstillmoredangerousthan lucifers;(laughter)wehavehadclass legislationdealingwiththecitizensofthe presentday,and,inthispreciousHigh SchoolActwehaveclasslegislationforthe citizensofthefuture.(Cheers.)Itisa schemepromotedandsupportedbythose whodesiretohavetheirchildreneducated apartfromthechildrenofthepeople,but whoeitherhavenotthemeans,-orifthey havethemeansaretoemean-spirited-to payforthisselecttrainingwhichtheyare anxioustheirchildrenshouldobtainatother people'sexpense.(Hear,hear.)Ihave aheadytoldyouIdonotbelievefora momentitisthedesireofanyportionofthe particularcommunityrepresentedheretonight-IalludejustnowtotheCatholic community-tothrowanyobstacleinthe wayofhighereducation.Ibelieve,onthe contrary,wedesireitquiteasmuchasany othersectionofthecommunity,aye,and evenmoreso.Wehaveshownourdesire topromotetheelementaryeducationofour ownchildren(whentheycouldnotparticipateintheclassofeducationprovidedsome yearsagointhepublicschoolsofthecolony) byputtingourhandsinourpocketsand payingfortheireducationourselves,while atthesametimeweweresupportingthe Governmentsystemofeducation.Wecontinuetoshowthatdesirenowbycontributing,undertheexistingsystemhalfthecost oftheeducationofourchildrenandI believe,nayIamsurewewouldgladlydo thesameunderasystemofhighereducation providedwecoulddoitwithoutsacrificing ourprinciplesandwithouttaxingthepoor

manforthebenefitoftherich,(Hear,hear.)

Ithink,sir,thatafterallthathasbeensaid onthesubjectofthisHighSchoolby previousspeakers,afterallthathasbeen saidbytheProws,-andespeciallythatwhich hasbeensaidoflatebytheHerald,which hasalmostexhaustedthepoliticalaspectof thequestion-itisunnecessaryformeto trespassfurtheronthepatienceofthis meeting,andInowthereforeformallymove theadoptionoftheresolutionwhichIhave alreadyread.(Cheers,)

Mr.RODOREDAsecondedtheresolution, whichwascarriedwets.eon. Mr.Lucas,thehon.secretarytothemeetingthenreadthememorialwhichitwasproposedtoadopt,andwhichwasasfollows:TOTHERIGHTHON.THESECRETARYOrSTATE ?ORTHECOLONIES. 0-TheMemorialoftheRomanCatholicBishop,Clam, andLaityWestrenAustralia, HumblySheweth:

I.ThatyourMemorialistsentertainingastheydo deepandconsciousobjectionstoanysystemofpublic eduimUon,whichIspurelysecular,areoonatra/nedto earnerlysolicityourLordshiptobepleasedtorecommendHerMostGraciousMsjestynottogiveHer RoyalAssenttotheBillwhichhas,beenpassedbythe LegislativeCouncilofthisColony,toestablishinthe CityofPerth,aIlighSchoolsinprinciplesagainst whichtheymustsolemnlyprotest.

2.ThatinadditiontothegraveandseriousobjectionswhichyourMemorialistssostrongly holdtoapurelysecularsystemofpublic education.yourMemorialistshumblycontend,that thepresentcircumstancesofthisColonydonotjustify thefoundationofaHighSchooloutofpublicFunds, sodyourLordshipyourMemorialistsfeelconvinced, willnotfailtoobservethat,inthatopinionthey arefullysupportedbythePublicPress,andby theColonistsgenerally.

3.ThatyourMemorialistswithaviewofshoeing toyourLordshipthataIlighSchoolshouldnotbe maintainedatthepubliccost,wouldrespectfully drewyourLordship'sattentiontothefactthata HighClassSchoolwassomeyearssince,established bytheProtestentBishopofPerth,andthoughthat SchoolreceivedmostliberalprivateRapport,yetfrom thepaucityofDayandBoardingPupilsithas,it cannotbegainsaidsignallyfailedtoaccomplishthe purposesotitssanguinefounder.

4.ThatasColonialsocietyinWestrenAusbaliais onlyinacomparativelyrudimentarycondition,your Memorialistswouldrespectfullyurgeuponyour LordshipthecircumstancethattheColonistsgenerallydonotrequirenordotheysolicitthefoundation ofaschool,theprofessedotjeetsowhichistoimpart, sutwriorClassicalandMathematicalinstruction.

formationofaHighSchoolatthepublicexpenseIs

notonlypremature,butwhollyunthweisary.

ThatyourMemorialistsfortheforegoingMIMS, humblyrequestyourLordshipwillbepleasedtogive effecttotheprayeroftheirMemorial,andyour Memorialists,asindutyboundwillewerpray,dw., boda.

tileSecretaryefStali;andfurther,thatthefollow laggentlemenhenominatedasacommitteetocarry onethtwisbapfiltkoseetinS,viz.-TheVeryRay. rVie"Giteeri1:theRev.Jno.O'RellyMr,W ninitiott,14.40.;*Megan.P.A.Rapti,J.T. Reilly,J.A.Loom,B.Gibbons,J.Seollard.and11. Mdu-

yr

S.ThatasthepresentsystemofEducationwhichis supportedoutofpublicfunds,affordstherisinggeneration,amplemeansofacquiringalltheknowledge thatisnecessary,tomakethempractical,useful,and intelligentsettlers,yourMemorialists,maintduthat thefoundationofaHighClassschoolisinthe presentconditionoftheColonywhollyandutauilestly loopportune.

tit.Thatasonlyaverysmallproportionofthe Colonistscouldavailthemselves;otthesupposed advantageswhichtheproprosedHighSchoolwill offeroverthepiasenteaistiigeducationalestablishments.yourMemorialistsconsideritmostunjust,to Imposeaburdenonthepeoplegenerallytorthe notantenaticeofaHighschool,whichcoaloulylie ;availedofbyafewColonists,whosepositionyour aleuorialistsmaintainissuthcientlyindependent,to enablethemtoMoirtheburdenofeducatioe;their DanchildrinwithoutassistancefrompublicFunds 'Ihotasthe!tilltoestatlishthepurposedhigh School,dereintfromtheprinciplesonwhichthe QueenslandGrammarschoolisbased-andtowhich yourLorillisiprefriredintheDespatch,disallowingthe fitstproposedhighschoolBill-inastnueliasbythe Billa/lochhasbeenpassedbytheLegislatiarCouncil Llevernmentassistancepreceuesvoluntaryeffortsto. ward.foundingtheproposedhighschool-your Ilemonalstswouldurgeasastrongandadditional reason,forsolaitingyourLordshiptofavorably entertaintheprayeroftheirMemorial.

S.ThatyourMemorialistsbeingfullypersuaded. thattheexperimenttoestiblishaMaliSchoolinthis Colony,withitapreseittsmallpopulation,andHustled publicrevenue,afterharingengenderedincurmidst feelingsMitnicaltoitsbestinterests,andfurthermore, alterhavingentailedliveryheavypublieexpenditure, wiprove utterandcompletetiniure,yourNI, morialistseornesilylogyourLordship'siutercession, ontheirbehalfwithIlerMostGraciousMajesty,and yourSlemonalistsasindutybound,willeverpray, sac., dm.

OnthemotionofMr.MAssix,seconded byMr.O'NfanoxT,theMemorialwas adoptedamidmuchenthusiasm.

Mr.LUCASsaidasitwasnotintendedto confinetheactionofthemeetingtoCatholics aloneanothermemorialhadbeenprepared bythecommittee,embodyingmostofthe pleasputforwardintheonealreadyadopted anddifferingfromit,infact,inonlyone point-theomissionofthereligiousor denominationalaspectofthequestionas regardedbyCatholics.Thememorial,which liewouldread,wasasfollows:-

ToTA.RIGEITIION.THESCORZTLIITOSSILTSPoe. THECJI.uNils, Ac.,fit

2'heMemorialoftheundersignedColonistsofWestern Australas, HumblySheweth,-

ThatyourMemorialistshavingdueregardtothe conditionaudcircumstancesofthepatopinWesternAustraliaconsiderthatthepieaentisanMopportuneperiodforestablishinginthiscolonyaHigh School,andthereforehumblyrequestyourLordship willbepleasedtoadvise.tierMustGraciousMojesty nottogiveIlerIto)alAssenttotheActwhichhog beenrecentlypassedbyourLegislatiaeCouncil authOrifIllgthefoundationofsuchauInstitution. yourMemorialistsrenew.reftainfromexpressingtheirsincereregretthatnotwithstanding theoppositionwhichwasofferedbythecolonists generally,andaltobythe'Indic Tesstotits .IliglischoolAct,1875."andthesubsequentdisallowance°IthatActbyIlerMajesly,thelocalGov.aintuitshouldhaveagainintroducedasimilar measure,ofthespiritandprinciplesofwhich,the Colonistshadalreadyunmistakeablyexpressedtheir entiredisapproval.ThatyourMemorialistsbeingonlycomparatively youngandstrugglingcommunity,soul.;respectfully impressuponyourLordshipthefact,thatatwould notonlybeahardship,butatealactofinjustice toburdenthemwiththemaintenanceofthepro.. posedIlighSchool ThatyourSlemorialiisisbeingconvincedthat, whilethefoundationoftheproposedIlighSch. wouldentailheavyburdenonthem,theyaremore' oversatisfiedthattheSchoolitself,wonsoulybeavailed of,orrathersonoritybeavailedofby...verysmallnumberotsettlers,andattercostingthecolonyavery considerableamountwillonlymaintainalingering esistence,asdoesaHighClassschool,whichacts someyearssinceestablishediuPerth,underci.cuni stancesthatgaveeverypromiseofitspermatieney andsuccess.

Inmovingitsadoption,hewouldnotat thatlatehourtrespassonthepatienceofthe meetingbydeletinguponanyoftheargumentsputforward,buttherewasonepoint towhichhewouldliketodirecttheattentionofthemeetingwithregardtothisHigh Schoolproject-apointwhichhad!Litbeen alludedtointhecourseoftheevening.lie referredtothefactthattheHighSchool ActasintroducedbytheGovernmentand adoptedbytheLegislaturedepartedvery muchfromtheprincipleoftheQueensland GrammerSchoolAct,recommendedbythe SecretaryofStateasaguideinframingour localenactment.Theprincipleestablished inQueenslandwasthisupontheinhabitants ofanydistrictraisingbysubscriptionasum ofa£1000forthepurposeofestablishinga GrammerSchoolinthatdistrict,theGovernmentsupplementeditbydoubletheamount fortheerectionofthenecessarybuildings; and,ifthesumof£500perannumbe guaranteedforthreeyearsasschoolfees,by responsibleparties,theGovernmentagain doubledthatamountperannumtowardsthe salariesofteachersandcurrentexpenses. TheprincipleoftheQueenslandActwas,in reality,analaguustotheprincipleofourown ElementaryEducationActasregardedthe provisionsofourlocalenactmentdealingwith AssistedSchools.Infactthestatestepped intoassistvoluntaryefforts.Noonewho knewanythingaboutthecostofestablishing andmaintainingahigh-classschoolcould imagineforonemomentthatsuchaninstitutioncouldlemaintainedinastateof efficiencybythemeagresubsidyprovidefor inthe"HighSchoolAct,1876"-thepaltry sumof£1,800inthreeannualinstalments, supplementarytotheamountofschoolfees received,what,attheutmost,wouldthe amountofschoolfeesbe?Themostsanguine ofthepromotersandsupportersofthe schemewould,lieapprehended,admitthat thenumberofscholarswouldneverexceed fortythatnumberatthemaximumschoolfeeprovidedundertheAct,namely£12per annum,wouldyield£480,whichsupplemented bytheGovernmentgrantwouldmakethe annualincomeoftheschoolabout£1000. Nowheshouldliketoknowwhatsortof HighSchool,whatsortofhighereducation couldbegiventofortyyounggentlemen,for thatsum?Whatsortofprofessionalstaff wouldsuchanamountasthatsecure? Dependuponit,thewholeschemewasintendedtomisleadthepublic,who,inthe courseofthreeyears,orearlierifpossible, wouldbecalledupontodoubleortreolethe subsidy.(Hear,hear).Twoorthreeyears hence,heventuredtopredict,theLegislature wouldbecalledupontopassthe"High SchoolAct,1876"-AmendmentBill;and oncetheGovernmentgotthethinendofthe wedgeintherewasnoknowinghowfarthey woulddriveit,topropupapetschemeof thissort,unlessindeedthenoblelordpresidinginDowningstreetnippeditinthe bud-"aconsummationdevoutlytobe wished."(Hear,hear).Thememorialwas thenadopted. Mr.MANNix,inproposingthenextresolutionsaid,althoughyoungandlackingthe eloquenceofpreviousspeakers,hethought hecouldgivehisopinioninthematterina plainstraightforwardmanner.Hisidea withreferencetothisHighSchoolproject wasthis-itwas,asMr.Lucashadjust termedit,a"petscheme"ofGovernor Robinson'sandofashabby-genteelclique whoweredesirousofbringinguptheirchi'. dreninashabby-genialschool,shabbily supported.(Hear,hear.)Ashabbylot altogether.(Laughter.)liehadnoliesita tioninsayingthathadthequestionbeen submittedtothecountry,alargemajorityof thepopulationwouldhaveopposedit,inthe beliefthatthepublicfunds,inarudimentary colonylikethismightbebetteremployedin proeidingmoreliberallyforarudimentary education,-thatpeople'smoneywouldbe moreusefullyappropriatedinconstructing moresubstantialbridgesthantheAss's Bridge,andinconstructingroadswhich weremuchmorerequiredthanthisanythingbut-royalroadtolearning.(Hear,hear). Wherevertherewasademandforanyarticle beitanarticleofnecessityoranarticleof luxury,materialorintellectual,therewould alwaysbefoundasupplyofthatarticle. Ifsuchaschoolasthishadbeenregarded bythepeopleofthiscolonyasanecessity, theywould,liketheQueenslandpeople,have comeforwardvoluntarilyandcontributedof theirmeanstoestablishit.BishopHale triedtheexperiment,andfoundedacollegiate schoolwhichwitsacredittohim,butwhat wastheresult?Afteralingeringexistence itdiedinaconsvulsivebutunavailing efforttocutitsteeth. Suwould GovernorRobinson'sbantling,unless fedandpamperedonthegolden grainofthepublic.(Cheers).Bethough; that,inthepresentdepressedstateofthe financesofthecolony,peoplewhowantedto rideincarriagesshouldpayfortheluxury, midpeoplewhowantedtheluxuryofhigher educationshouldlikewisepayfurit.The resolutionhehadtoproposewastothe followingeffect ThattheMemorialtotheRightHontheSecretary ofStatefortheColoniesnowrendprayingthatHer Mosttin.1OUYMajestywaybeadvisedtodisallowthe HighschoolALI.1570"beadopted."

ThatyourMemorialistshavinginviewthepr.sent rudimentarystateofColouialsociety,unanimoutry eolicurinthebelief,thatthe'EietniutaryEducation Actof1871,"affordstherisinggenerationsuflitienly highatandardclEanewiontoenablethemtobe conicpracticalandusefulColonists.

'ThatyourMemorialists.regardingthepeonies CircumstancesoftheColony,anditspeople,erectopinionthat11..11thecolonyhasmodemuchmoremdental progressthanithashithertodone,andhasalsoretrodaconsiderableadditiontoItsPopulation,the

Thepropositionwasunanimouslyaffirmed. OnthemotionofMrJ.T.ItztLLY,acordial *nthofthankswasaccordedtotheVicar Generalforpresiding,andtheproceedings, whichWereofamostagreeableandbustVeenlikeeharacterthroughout.closed.

OPINIONSOFTHEPRESSON THE"HIGHSCHOOLACT,1876."

ONEofthefaultsofthelastHigh SchoolBillwasthatitdevolvedtoo muchresponsibilityontheGovernment TheGovernorandExecutiveweremade responsiblefurthecharacteroftheeducationafforded.Thiswasoneofthe reasonsthattheHomeGovernmentrefuseditssanctiontothemeasure.The presentbillhasgoneintotheotherextreme.Ithassteeredclearofeducationaltogether.Ithasmerelyasked foravoteotpublicmoneytobeplaced inthehandsofaboardofgovernorsto dojustwhattheylikewithit.The House,whilecontenttoswallowanythinginreason,hasrefusedtoswallow askeleton.Ithasthereforeappointed fivememberstosketchoutaplanof educationofsomesort.Membersof Oouncilareprobablyaboutaswell qualifiedfortheperformanceofthis certainlynotveryeasytask,astosketch outaplanforthecultivationofthe moon.Itisonethingtopossesssuch educationasiscommonlygotata publicschool,astopossesssufficient generalinformationtopassasaneducatedman,andquiteanothertolay downasuccessfulschemeofeducation. Therearehundredsofhundredsofthe onesortofpeople,toasingleindividual oftheother.Theonlypossiblewaythe fivememberschosenwillhaveofexttieatingthemselvesfromapositionwhich mustbeentirelynewtothem.andcompletelybeyondtheirrange,willbeto adopttheroutineofsomepreparatory collegeinEngland-suchasthatofthe LondonUniversitySchool-andnotso astoattempttoalterit.But,however muchatalossthesegentlemenmaybe toframeasystemofeducation,theycan atleastshowhonestyofpurpose.If theyreallydesireanupperschooland arenotmerelyseekingtohaveoneset ofchildrentaughtintheparlourand anotherinthekitchen.theywillexclude fromthisnewGovernmentseminaryall childrenwhocannotpassacreditable exarninstioninthehigheststandardof theGovernmentschoolsalreadyinexistence.Ifthisnewschoolistobeadvancedontheexistingeducationa system,itshouldbeginwherethe presentleavesoff.Itshouldnotonly giveinstructioninthesubjectstaught atthebestmodernpublicschools,but itshouldonlygiveeducationinits advancedstages.ifitisamereABC affair,orteachesanythingthatisalready taught,itcanonlyberegardedasan underhandattemptatcheapexclusiveness,andweshallbeboundtoregard allthetalkaboutthenecessityfora highereducationthanthepresent,asa merecovertogainaprivateandavery ignobleend.-Herald,Sept.,2.

strollingmusician.Thereisagrand flutedfront,labelled"geography," grammar,""history,""mathematics," andalltherest,andallthewhilethe onlythingthatisreallytaughtorthat themastersknowhowtoteachiswriting,reading,andarithmetic.Thuswe loseagreatdealoftimeinattempting theimpossibletotheneglectotthe possibleandeasy.Thedetermined effortofHisExcellencyandaselect fewtoestablishandmaintaina HIGHSCHOOL orratheragenteelelementaryschool withadashofLatinGrammarand delectus,outofthepocketsoftietax-. payers,forthebenefitofacertainnumberoffamilieswhodonotliketheir childrentomixwiththoseofthepeople willbefoundfullydiscussedinother partsofthepaper.Itisthereforeunnecessarytodomorethanrefertoit. Butthequestionisonewhichhas stirredupagreatdealofpartyspirit, andthehighhandwithwhichthething hasbeencarriedwillleadtoagreatdeal ofsocialmischief,andthematteriswell worththeattentionofthoseinterested inthecolony.-Herald,Sept.,2.

THEGOVEIINMETSCHOOLSilltherural districtshavebeenbroughtunderthe noticeottheLegislativeCouncil andtheGovernmenthasbeenasked tobringinabillnextsessionto putthemonadifferentfooting.Itis complainedthatunderthepresent systemofpaymenttheteacherispaid notbyresultbutbyattendances,and thatthisisunfavorabletotheprogress otthechildrenaswellasunfairtothe master.Thereisnodoubtthatthisis thecase.Thesystemofeducationitself, thoughbetterinmanyrespectsthanthe oldsystemisinotherrespectsnotaltogethersatisfactory.Therealtruthis, weareattemptingagreatdealtoomuch forthemeansofourdisposal.Weaim atathorougheducationforchildren whohavenotimetobeeducated,and withoutthemeansofobtaininginthe ruraldistrictscompetenteducators.

Mr.LouisPETERsecondedtheresolution, whichwasaffirmed. Mr.P.REILLYthenmoved"Thatcopiesoftheresolutionswhichhavebeen unanimouslymooedbythismeeting,togetherwitha reportutitsproceedingsandthe°plainsofthePress thetcon.beforwardedtoHittEno;HencytheGovernor,witharequestGinatheymaybeapendedtothe essusonstwhichhasboos'dolmafortreusuntimen

Oureducationalsystemislikeoneof theshamorgansoneseesinchurches, whichstandforthinallthegloryof gildedpipesbutinwhichthepipesthat dotheworkarenotmachmoreimposingthanthoseiuthepanpipeofthe

APROPOSALtofoundandmaintaiuan expensivelocalschooloutofpublic fundswithnomoredefiniteprogramme thantheannouncementthatitwillbea HighSchoolorGrammarSchoolseems tousutterlyinadmissible.Theterm HighSchoolsaysabsolutelynothing. ItmaymeananoldfashionedLatinand Greekeducation;oritmaymeanan educationinvariousartsandsciences carriedonunderastaffofprofessors; oritmaymeaneducationinmodern languagesor,inshortitmaymean anyoneoftwentysortsofhighereducation.Butatpresentmembersof Councildonotknowforwhattheyare voting.Really,wethink,boththe membersofCouncilandthepublic mighttoknowexactlywhattheschool istoteachbeforetheyareaskedtofind moneyforitsestablehmentandmaintaenance.Thevalueotsuchaschool ieentiielydeterminedbywhatitprofessestoteachandtheavailablemeans fordoingthatwhichitprofesses.Were theprogrammebeforetheHouse,asit oughttohe,membersmightfindthatit isneitherwhattheywantthemselvesnor whattheirneighborswant;orthey mightfindthatitpromisestogive themnothingmorethanisattainablein theexistinggovernmentschols,or that,ifitdoespromiseanythingmore, itpromiseswhatitcannevergive.It mayturnoutthatitisneitherexactly thesameeducationwhichistaughtin ourso-called,elementaryschoolswith additionoftheLatingrammar,orthat ifitisreallytoteachanythingmoreit willcostnearlyasmuchasalltheother schoolsputtogether.Ifitatteeipts anythingessentiallyinadvanceofthe higherstandardsofthepresentsystem andisanythingbutthemeresttinsel, suet'aslimas£800willnotbeaLa biteintheexpense,andifwearenut preparedtospendonitannuallymany timesthissum,wemayaswellleaveit alone.IVhatevermaybeintended,the establishmentofanyhigherkindofeducationthanthatwhichwehaveat presentdoesnotbelongtoGovernment. Itmayoritmaynotbethedutyofthe Statetogivesuchassistanceasisnecessaryforsecuringapracticaleducationtothemasses,butitisnopartof itsdutytoprovi,.especialformsof educationrequiredonlybyasmall sectionofthecs,iumunity.'Ibisisthe workofindividuals,andwherethereis ademandforsucheducationindividuals willalwaysarisetosupplyit,andwill dowhathastobedonemuchbetter thangovernments.But,evensupposingitcamewithintheprovinceofthe Statetoundertakeschoolsofthissort andtaxthemassesforthebenefitof thefew-taxthepoorman'sloaffor therichman'scake,andmaketheboy withbarefeettoilfortheeducationof the"curleddarl:ngs"-allideaofany suchthingshouldbepostponedforthe present.Isthisatimetoblusterabout aHighSchool-nomatterofwhatclass orkind-whenoutpopulationisleaving us,ourlandgoingoutofcultivation, ourfannersinapprehensionofaseason utterlyruinous,ourgraziersinalarm fortheirflocks,andtwoofourstaple industriesgreatlyreducediuvalueand

thirddestroyed?Theproposalis al liroutofseason.Itbelongsto ofirosperity,andOughttobe nodded..atoutofthequestionwhen wearetlireattfnedwithlossonevery baudandmooteithetatonceimmensely' reduceexpenditureorfindiiithe acmesofanothertwelreoreighteen monthsthatItelmiedpileitinthe'pnhlierevenueoffroMi5.0,000to£70',0g0. utitisnousearguingthequestion farther:Therealtruthis',thisso-called HighSchool-whateveritmaybeor whateveritmayprofesstoteach-had itsorigininpartyspiritandwasstarted outofsympa'thywithapaOicularre- ligionssection,andhasbeencontinued, aridsupportedthroughpartyspirit; andpartyspiritinwhichthereisareligionselementknowsneitherreason norjustice.Itisblind.Theultimate resultwillbe-notagaintothecause ofeducation-hutthefosteringofreligionsanimositiesandthekeepingalive thesectionalspiritwhichistheweaknessanddestructionoftheColony. GovernorROBINSONmaytalkofsowingtheseedsofknowledgeandmay thinkheissowingthem.Heisunconsciouslysowingdragons'teeth.His school-evenifitseesthelight-will cometonothingorbeamiserablefiasco -itcannotbeotherwise-butthespirit ofbitterness,towhichhispertinacityin earringthisill-timed,ill-judgedproject willgiverise,willthriveandbearfruit longafterHisExcellencyhasleftthe Colonyandbeenforgotten.-fieratd, Augnst29.

Toformajustestimateofthecondition ofacountryitisnecessarytoseewhat goesoninmorethanoneplace.Hada strangerbeenpresentatthedebateon theHighSchoolbillonWednesdaylast, andheardthehon.memberforPerth talkingofthetimebeingcomeforour followinginthewakeofOxfordand Cambridgeandproposinginsaberearnest tofoundscholarshipsforsendingthe youngmenoftheColonytothe Universities,hewouldhavethought thatmoneywasplentifulandthatMr. Steerea"poorman"meantoneof thosemenwhocallthemselves"poor'' ontwothousandayear.Butwhat wouldhehavethoughtifhehadgone thedayfollowingintotheLocalCourt andfoundthattheshareholderofa well-knownjointstockcompanywas seeingthedirectorstocompelthemto rayhisdividendincash?Yes;itisa fact.Ajointstockcompanyofconsiderableimportance-acompanyin whichtheshareholdersconsistchiefly ofgovernmentofficials,includingsome intheveryhighestposition,recently passedaresolutiontopayitsdividends instores;andashareholder,whowas notinimmediatewantofeithersoapor candles,hadtobringanactiontoget hisdividendpaidincash.Thiswill soundtomanypeoplelikeajoke.But itissoberrealityand,asaffordingan indexofthebusinesspositionofthe Colony,andespeciallythepositionof theverypersonsforwhoseheeefitthis HighSchoolisbeinginstitutedandprovidedwithscholarships,itisofitselfa soundcommonsensereasonagainstany suchproject.Itisascompletean answertoMr.Randell's"talltalk"as couldbedesired.HowcanapreparationfortheUniversity-howcana scholarshipof£50or£60ayear-beof anyservicetopeoplewhohavetoreceive"dividends"instores?Doesthe hon,memberforPerththinkthat collegetutorsGallbepaidwithcandles? Itisverynaturalthatpeopleshould fallintotthiserrorinacountrywlere hisisthewayinwhichthrivingjoint stockcompaniespaytheirdividemli, Topersonsaccustomedtothecommon replyinsuchcases"Whetcanwedo? wehavenomoney,"candleswouldno doubtseemasgoodamediumof exchangeasanyother;andthehon. menthe'.forthemetropolis,whoseems inotherrespectstohavesomevery extraordinaryideasaboutthecollegiate institutionsofwhichbehaslearntto tsikgaily,mayverywellheunderthis delusion.Buttopeoplewhoknow bettermustitnotappeartheheightof eleurdicyforacountry,inwhicha reallyprosperousmercantilefirmis obligedtopayitsdividendsinstores, totalkofestablishingaschoolofa epeeistcharacterandfoundscholarship'

fortheUniversity?Thehon.member forWellingtoncallsita"poorslowss school.Butsuchschoolsareofnoon topoormen.Amancannomoresend hissontoaUniversityonscholarship thanhecansendhimintothearmyon hispay.Dmdaysarepantforthese things.Scholarshipsoreven"storeir" donot,goToryternqw:6-4a)A, Tbd greatestteigortuneQatcanhavento ayoungmanistobesentintoaprofessionwithontprivatemains;and perhapshisnextgreatestmisfort.ineis tohavebeeneducatedabovethestation lieholdsinlife.Itmustberemembered thateducationofthekindproposeddoes notenablementorise-itisthereward ofthosethathaverisen.Itdoesnot enablethemtomaketheirwayup through"stores"anddividendspaidin caudles-itistherewardofthosewho byindustryprudenceandabilityhave risenthrough"stores"toapositionof wealth,andacquiredthemeansof makingtheirchildrenwhattheyplease andpaying"incash"-andsuchmen donotaskfor"Highschools"outof thepublictreasury.-Herald,Sept.,2, 1876.

WHENthebilloflastsessionforestablishingandmaintainingaHighSchool fortheupperclassesoutofthepublic fundswassenthomeforHerMajesty's approval,theSecretaryfortheColonies, whohasprobablyadifficultyincomprehendingtheextremelyprimitiveconditionofsocietyinthiscountry,suggestedthat,iftheGovernmentbroughtin abillforaGrammarSchoolonthe Queenslandprinciple,itmightbe sanctioned.Ofcourse,aschoolonsuch aprincipleinthisColonyisoutofthe question.InQueensland,ifthepublic find£2000andlayitouttothesatisfactionoftheGovernmentinschool buildings,&c.,andguaranteed£500a year,theGovernmentsupplementsthis annualsumup£1000more.Butas thememberforGreenoughpointedout, thoughsuchaschememaybevery possibleinQueensland,wherepeople talkofmillionsaswetalkofthousands, itisnotapplicablehere.ButHisExcellencyandthefactionwhichisbent on BishopHALE'Sfailureand, nowthattheBishop'smoneyisgone, keepingthatinstitutionafloatbythe helpofthepublicrevenue,takeno noticeofthis,andtheoldschemeis againbroughtforwardinaslightly differentform.Theonlythingdoneto makeitmorepalatableistolimitwhat theAttorneyGeneralinhisdefenceof thebillcallsthe"experiment"tothree yearsanddeputethemanagementof theschooltoaboardofGovernors. ButtheveryprincipleoftheQueenslandActisthattheGovernmentdeclinestoinitiatethemovementorto couimitthestatetoan"experiment," Itrequiresthepublictostarttheschool andsecureitfromfailure.This Queenlanddoescutofitsmillions. Butthepresentaffairisastateconcernedfromfirsttolast,andisthere petitionofan"experiment"whichhas failedunderfargreateradvantages thanthoseaffordedevenbyGovernmentsupport.HisExcellencyneverthelesstellstheHousethroughthe ColonialSecretarythatheadaptsthe hillasfaraspossibletocircumstances (towhichofcourseitcannotbe adapted)andpushesitthroughthe Councilwithamajority,which,incon sequenceoftheunavoidableabsenceof twoofthenorthernmembers,isa tolerablylargeone.1hereisnothing wonderfulinthis.Withthenumberof votesathisExcellency'sabsolute disposalheonlywantsaverylittleaid fromindependentmemberstobeableto carryanything.Thataidhasinthe presentinstancebeensuppliedpartlyby religiousfeelingandpartlybyadesire toassistacertainsetofgenteelfamilies ingettinganexclusiveeducationoutof thepoorbox.Thisso-calledHigh School,whichnevercanbeanythiag morethanaHighSchoolinname,orbe otherthananexclusiveelements!), school,isnotwantedbythepeople,not warrantedbytheconditionoftheColony, notadmissiblebyanylawofpolitical economy,norisitregardedbyanyone whohastheslightestideaofeducational machinerywithanyfeelingbutthatof ridicule;and,ifitevercomesoutof itsshell,itwillhavebeenhatchedby theinfluenceofGovernmentHouse,the

pleadingsoftheCivilServiceinPerth, andbyreli,giOwi'iealonsy.IftheSeersItaryfortheColoniescouldhaveany litiesoftheroilstateofthingsiuthe Colony-and'thetruechatmeterofthe measure;hawouldthrowtheActfrom himindiegnet...-Heraki,Sept.,2i1878;

Tax 'season"isatlastover.The LegislativeCouncilhasoncemorebeen broughttogethertoattendtothebusinessofthecountry.Theceremonyof openingthesessionwasperformedby HisExcellencytheGOVERNORon Mondayafternoon.Morethanthe usualamountofinterestwasattached tothepresentsittings;fortherewas muchtolearnandmuchtobeexplained. Thepublicwantedtoknowallaboutthe TariffCommission,allaboutthemail steamerimbroglio,thebunglesinconnectionwiththeGeraldtonrailway,the resultofSirJOHNCoomesconclusions onthequestionofharborworks,and thestateofthegeneralrevenue.The GOVERNOR'Sspeech,ofcourse,refersto mostofthesematters,butthedetails haveyettobefilledin.

Wedodotthinkthereisanyinterest, oranysection,ofthecommunitythat canfairlycomplain,ofbeingoverlooked inthevice-regaladdress.Governor ROBINSONhassochangedthepatternof hispredecessorsasregardstheseopening speechesthat,insteadofmeetingthe LegislativeCouncilwiththebriefformal summaryofthesubjectsundertheattentionofGovernmenttowhichthatbody had,previoustohisadvent,beenaccustomed,heplacesbeforsthemannuallya veryelaboratereviewofhisadministrationandofhispolicy.Weare,indeed, ledtobelievethatHisEXCELLENCYreally addresseshimselftothepublicatlarge ratherthantotheLegislativewhenliesits downtopenhisannualmanifesto.Be thatasitmay,Monday'sspeechforecastsanactivesession.Itopenswith referencetoauamendedMunicipalInstituitionsBill,which,inadditiontodealing withtheimportantquestionofsanitation. istoprovidefortheregistrationof voters,andtomakefullerandstricter provisionsastomunicipalelectionsamid theauditofaccounts.WearenextinformedthattheActtomakebetter provisionforthehighereducationof boys-whichourreaderswillrecollect wasunanimouslycondemnedbythelocal press-basbeendisallowedbyHer Majesty.Anewmeasure,however,based ontheprinciplesofasystemexistingin Queensland,ispromised.Whatthose principlesmaybe,weknownot.We, however,stillmaintainthatthegeneral publicofthiscolonyshouldnothetaxed topayforthehighereducationofthe boysofadozenparentswhocanwell affordtoprovidethatboonfortheir children.Moreover,wehaveyetto learn-toquotethewordsofLord CARNARVON-Whatstudies"likelytobe attendedwithpracticaladvantageina localcareer"arenotavailableunderthe existingmeansofeducation.Havenot ourmostsuccessfulyounglawyersand mostpromisingyoungsurveyorsbeen educatedinthecolony?Haveoutmost successfulcolonial-bornmerchantsre ceivedanyeducationotherthanthe existingschoolsofthecolonyafforded them.-Inquirer,Aug.9,1876.

THEROMANCATHOLICSAND THEHIGHSCHOOLACT.

OCRfriendstheRomanCatholicshave fought,andarefighting,the"HighSchool" fightwithpluckanddertermination.To mostoftheargumentstheyadduceagainst theestablishmentofsuchaschoolinour midst,atpublicexpense,wehavealready givenouradhesion.Thatitisnotwantedthatthecircumstancesofthecolonydonot warrantanysuchappropriationofthepublic funds-thatthemeansofeducationalready availableare,toallintentsandpurposes, liberalenoughforeverypracticalpurposein alocalcareertheseareargumentstowhich wehavelongsincegivenouradherence.Nor canweacceptthepleaofthepromotersof theschemethattheState,havinglaidthe foundationofanationalsystemofprimary schools,hasadmittedtheexpediencyof wideuing.thesefoundations,andofsettingup asystemofefficientsecondaryeducatiou.The policyofestablishingandinpartmaintainingadvancedschools,attheexpenseofthe State,restsondifferentgroundsaltogetherfrontthosewhichareatthefoundationofa Statesystemofprimaryinstruction.Withoutarguingthegeneralquestion,whetherit isorisnotthedutyoftheStatetoeducate thepeople,itmaybeassumedthatif,inany caseitcanbeamatterofduty,-andnotof

merepolicyorexpediency-fortheStateto 'enter-uponthiswork,itisinthecaseof primaryinstruction.ifinanyeaseitcanbd thedutyoftoeStatetoprovidefoodforany portionofthepeopleitiswhen,asamatter offact,andfromcausesoverwhichtheyhave noactualoontrol,theyareI.dangerofstarv- ing.Andwhenitisseenthatthrough parental largeneglect,orparentalimpotence;a memberofchildrensuegrowingal:with- outthemeansofattainiagthebareelements ofknowledge,then,ifatanytime,itisthe plaindutyoftheStatetostepitsandsupply thedeficiency.Butitdoesnotfollowthatthe Stateisboundindittytodomorethanpro- Videforfirstnecessities.Onthispointthere- fore,wearealtogetherinaccordwiththe epponentsoftheHighSchoolstibetne.Indeed touasinglepoint,withtheexceptionofthat weareabouttorefertocouldanyobjection betakentotheargumentsoftheRoman Catholicparty,byanyonepracticallycon- versantwiththewantsandresourcesofthe colony.

Threepartieshaveeverarisenwherevertheeducationquestionhasbeenagitated. Thesepartiesexistamongourselves.Itis hardlynecessarytonamethem.Theymust befamiliartoallourreaderswhohaveany interestonthepoint.Therearethedenomi- nationalists,whothinkthatreligionshould notonlybetaughtinourpublicschools,but thattheschoolsthemselvesshouldbeunder theinfluenceofthedenominations.There areagainthesecularists,whohold,notonly thattheschoolsshouldbefreefromdenomi- nationalinfluence,butalsothattheyshould beentirelyseparatedfromreligiousinfluence. Itiswrongtofancythatonlyinfidelsethoc genusholdthisview.Manychristianmen favoritandpleadpowerfullyforit.There arethose,again,whofavorneitherdenominationalismnorsecularism.Suchpersons holdthatitispossibletoimbuethemindoftheyoungwithreligiousideaswhollyapart fromanydenomination-that,infact,un-denominationalreligiousinstructionisoneof thenecessitiesofthetimes.TheRoman Catholicsbelongtothefirstsectionwerank ourselveswiththesecond.Wetheretore cannot,ofcourse,sympathisewiththemin theargumentwhich,withpersistentcon- sistency,theyputforwardinoppositionto theproposedHighSchoolonthegroundthat theeducationtobegiventhereinistobe exclusivelysecular.Wehavenofaithin thedogmatlittifanycitizenpaystheeducationaltaxheoughttohavethesortof educationprovidedforhischildthathe mostdesires,andthatitisawrongdoneto hisconscienceifthisclaimisnutconceded. Wefailtoseeinwhatwayitcanbe honestlysaidthata'systemofpurely seculareducationinflictsinjusticeupon anysectionofthecommunity.Injusticeariseswhereallcitizensarenottreated alike-whentheStatefavoursoneclass morethananother-whensomedistinctionofcreed19recognised,involvingsome specialadvantage,orsomespecialdisabi- lity-andwhenthosewhostandequalas citizensandtaxpayersdonotstandequal astherecipientsoftheproductsofthose taxes.

IntheproposedHighSchooltherewillhe nosuchdisability-thatistosay,onreligiousordemoninationalgrounds.Everychildwillstandonexactlythesautefooting.Nu preferencewillhegiventoonesectover another.Thereistohenobadgeofsuper- iorityorofinferiority-nothingtoinfringethe self-respectortowoundtheprideofthe membersofanyChurch.Thechildreneducatedthereataretobetreated,notasthe childrenofanyparticularsect,butasthe childrenoftheState.Itisintheirciviland notintheirreligiousrelationshipthatthey willboreceivedandtreated;andtherebeing nodistinctions,inthisrespect,therecanbe nofavoritism.AcitizenisnottreatedunjustlyifhedoesnotgetfronttheState exactlywhathewouldliketohave,because hemaydesirewhatitwouldbeimproperfor theStatetogive,orwhatitwouldnotbein thepublicinterestforhimtoreceive,or whatftpracticallyimpossible.Ifheis treatedaseverybodyelseistreated,thenlie isputonatruecivicfooting.Ilegetsasa citizenwhatishiscivicright.Buthemay notalsogetasachurchmanwhatasa churchmanhewouldlike.Adinitingallthis, itmayherepliedthattheinjusticeofthe secularsystemdoesnotconsistinallbeing treatedalike,butinthechildrenofthe variouschurchesnothavinginschoolthe particularchurcheducationwhichtheir pareutsdesire.Butitmustbeobviousthat, whateverproprietytheremaybeinthis complaint,itisquiteadifferentthingfrom complaintofinjustice.Onthispointthere- foreweannounceourselvesatvariancewith ourRomanCatholicfriendswithrespectto theiroppositiontotheproposedllighSchool. But,withtheexceptionofthissinglepoint, wehavetoacknowledgethattheirviewswith referencetotheschemehaveourentire approval.Farmoresatisfactoryresults mightbeexpectedoydevotinganysurplus fundsavailableforeducationalpurposesto theameliorationofthechainsofcountry teachers,ratherthaninpromotingthisillconsideredandcrudeproposaltoestablisha HighSchool.Foryearstocomeascheme likethatuponwhichthisschoolistobe modelledwillbecompletelyimpracticable, andmustendinuttercollapse.ThefatetE shaminstitutionsmaynotbeimmediate,but itisthoroughwhen_itdoescome.-W.A Times,22ndSept.,1876.

Printedandpublishedfortheproprietorby JAMESARDAGH,attheCatholicBoys' Orphanage,Subiaco,nearPerth,West Australia.