EDUCATION BILL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 185, 30 April 1908, Page 7

EDUCATION BILL

CONCILIATION. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. NONCONFORMISTS FAVOURABLE. AT T'XI.EOHArH—I'RESS ASSOCIATION—COPtRIGHT. London, April 28. Dr. Clifford, the eminent Nonconformist divine, at the annual assembly of tho Baptist Union, succeeded in gotting a resolution carried approving of the proposal that the Minister for Education convene a representative oonfereJice for tho purpose of conciliating tho various interests on tho education question. COMPROMISE MOVEMENT ADVANCING. The expressed willingness of tho Government to accept reasonable amendments to tho Lducation Bill if the , conflicting; denominations could agreo to compromise—failing which it was implied that tho secular education solution might become compulsory —lias borne.fnutOn April 12, it was cabled that a meeting presided .over by the 'Archbishop of Canterbury favoured a conference of Churchmen, iSonconformists, and Roman Catholics, with the object of adjusting thoir differences, so that religions teaching might not bo driven altogether from tho schools. To-day's cablegram marks a considerable advance in tho Nonconformist quarter in.the direction of conference, conciliation,'and compromise. Dr. Clifford, who heads this movement, was the staunchsst of the passi vo resistors. -. . ■ ■' "There is one sentiment in tho important letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury tc* Mr. M'Kcnria on tho Education Bill, with which most peoplo readily concur,"' says the " Daily Chroniclo." -" They desiro, as ho does, 'a reasonable settlement of this lamentab.f and harmful controversy'; and, in order to bring it about, they also would be 'prepared to give up much which they believe might be fairly aiid reasonably'claimed.' The points .of controversy, and therefore' tho, material', for compromise,: were conveniently summed up ina really conciliatory letter from Bishop Welldon, the Dean of Manche'ster, which was published in 'The Times.' Tlie points are these:- " (1.) The amount of tho grant inado. to voluntary schools; „ , "(2.) The conditions of the transfer of voluntary schools to the local education author-- " (3.) The right of giving denominational 'teaching in school.hours; "(t.) The permission or refusal to the teachers of the right of giving such denomiv . nations! teaching. " Bishop Welldon's . suggestion is that the Church should concedo Nos. 2 and 3 in return for concessions,from tho other side with regard to Nos.-1 "and 4. In other words, he would like to see the present Bill accepted if the grant made to voluntary schools were increased from 475. to some larger sum, and if tho regular school teachers were allowed to give tlie denominational teaching iii single-school areas outof school hours. ... " Tho Archbishop's letter is not so preciso in its terms; but as far as wo can malco out, he proposes that if tho Church concedes No. 2, the Government must concede not only all tlie other thrco points mentioned by Bishop Welldon, but also 'the right of entry' in provided 'schools.' The Archbishop 'cordially recognises t.h'e'real advance' contained in the definition of ' Cowper-Templeism' 'on its positive side as the teaching of the London County Council's (syllabus; but lie demands -inquiry as, ;to the teacher's qualification' to givo such teaching."