EDUCATION. In the early days of the States, education was provided for by State-aided re ligions, by organizations of various denomina tions, and by tuition fees exacted from the pupils. In time education was made secular and free. In New South Wales and Tasmania nominal fees are still charged, yet not required in cases of inability to pay. Religious instruc tion is also still provided for, but only outside of regular school hours. It is given by a clergyman instead of by regular teachers. and is subject to the desire of the parents. Education is com pulsory in all of the States: yet strict enforce ment of the compulsory feature is only at tempted in Victoria, and in a few of the larger towns elsewhere. On the contrary, non-attend ance or irregularity of attendance is grievously common in most localities. A high rate of il literacy is the result. Statistics show, however, a decided recent improvement. In 1861. 1619
people out of every 10,000 of the population (including New Zealand) over five years of age could not read. In 1891 the number fell to 803 in every 10,000. This illiteracy is partly due to. the adverse conditions always met with in the• early days of a new country. In 1899 there were 634,000 children enrolled in the State schools. compared with 149,000 in the private schools. Secondary education is generally in the hands. of private or denominational interests. There are State high schools in New South Wales (fees being charged), while in Victoria teachers of the ordinary grades are allowed fees for teach ing extra subjects. Technical instruction is given at the capital cities. and is extending to other points, a decided interest being manifested in it. Universities, partly supported by the State, are located at Sydney, Melbourne, Ade laide, and Tasmania.