The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-01-04
man Catholics of Manitoba get separate

man Catholics of Manitoba get separate
schools by the legislation of the Dominion
parliament how will their schools be re-
| gafded by the people Of Manitoba? If they
| We're considered Objectionable when they
existed, under provincial legislation, they
viii be q thousand timas more objection
able under Dominion legislation, and they
may depend upon it, for it is human ma
,tvre, that in countless ways they will be
subjected to attacks which may in certain
respects inuterialize the comforts and the
anticipated advantages Of separate schools.
Then, in the future. as IS most probable,
should any change be required n the law
respecting separate schools, now are those
changes to he effected? The Manitoba
legislature cannot alter the law in respect
10 a single jct or title. Any alterations
deemed necessary must be made by the
house Of commons. and its power to mend
even its own laws in a matter Of this kind
is questioned by the best legal authorities.
TO my mind remedial legislation by tle
Dominion government is poor substitute
foc legislation by the province, and if. I
were Roman Catholic and nad the choice
of taking remedial legislation from the
Dominion government now and" remedial
legislation from the Manitoba legislature,
even if I had TO wait some time for it, I
would wait, holding my constitutional
rights in reserve until public opinion had
an opportunity of reconsder:ng the stu
alton in the light of the Judgment of the
privy council.
said the remedial order was prema-
ture. | take the ground without any hes
itation whatsoever that the Dominion par
Lament mas no power to le5islate with re-
gard to education in this particular case.
| take that ground because I understand
the constitution to mean that. and the
Drivy council declared that it does mean
that believe confederation will succeed
only by observing tine constitution TO the
very letter and by accepting all its ohE-
cations, whether we like them OF not. with
out evasion or, contention. But while the
Dominion government mas right to is
sue remedial order, the time at which
such an order should be issued is a matter
OF Judgment and policy. l think they act
ed hastily, | think broader statesman
ship would have given Manitoba some
time TO consider the situation, would have
gwen the people of Manitoba, irrespective
O. creed, time to view the question from
every standpoint, and if they then de-
ciined. it would be time enough for the
Dominion government to enfore the con-
obligations with which it was
entrusted.
What has been the effect Of this hasty !
action on the part of the government? |
Just what might have been expected !
Manitoba has resented interference. And !
SO on one side the cry has gone up. ali |
ever the Dominion, pass the remedial Or
der, and on the other side let there be no i
coercion. 70 my mind the question has !
outgrown the constitutional,
principle involved and as it now stands |
it is OF overwhelming nationa! Importance
OF greater Importance than any question !
with which we have ibeen confronted since |
confederation, and it J. had voice in the !
house of commons I would :mplore my
fellow members to hasten slowly.