Education.

On this question I believe I hold the opinions of a minority of the electors, but it is duo to you that I should state my views on this important subject in unmistakeable terms. In the first place, I am of opinion that it should be the duty of the State to insist that the children are educated up to a certain standard, and that it should contribute largely to the cost, but I object to the schools being used as nurseries for infants, and should therefore be in favour of raising the "school age" to six years, were it not that such a step would have the effect of closing many of the small country schools. As a parent, and also as a member of the community, I deplore the absence from our schools of that page 11 grand book containing the highest code of morality. Apart altogether from the question of religious teaching. I think that the effect on the minds of our youth of the authorise exclusion of the Bible from the schools is bad. I am also of opinion that a large minority, if not a majority, of parents of children embracing several denominations of Christians (and be it noted that the parents contribute by far the largest amount of tuition) deplore the total absence of religious teaching in the schools. As it is hopeless to expect that any scheme of religious instruction will be admitted as part of the curriculum in the State schools, I consider it only a matter of simple justice to so large a number of people holding similar views to my own on this question that they should receive back in the shape of subsidy to schools they may themselves establish a portion of their quota to the cost of education am therefore in favour of a capitation grant to private schools which comply generally with the requirements of the Education department in respect to standards, attendance, inspection, &c.