THE EDUCATION PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 10

THE EDUCATION PROBLEM.

Referring.'to the British education question and the possibilities of a' settlement, "Tho Scotsman" of May 22 states mentary opinion is as divided as ever regarding the future of the English education problem. ■ Tho division cuts across tlio ordinary lines of party. Ono meets Radicals who fhink that a Bettlemenb is on tho anvil, and Unionists who take the same view. Other members of the. two parties see nothing in prospect cxcept another embittering and futile struggle. One thing the two sections havo in ■ common—neither has any confidence in its anticipations. Tho Government will make a gravo blundor if they,fail to take advantage of tho desiro-, for a settlement, which is uiidisguisedly. felt in. all political parties, except, perhaps, by , a few extremists on either side. It is not enough for Ministers to dcclaro that they aro willing to consider torms and then wait for their opponents to come on bended knees suing for poaco. Three valuablo days of Parliamentary time have been spent 011 tho Bill. Thoy cannot bo said to have promoted a settlement. Indeed, till tho . concluding hours they scorned to bo seriously jeopardising 'it. Unless' these days are to bo regarded as wasted, immediate steps will require to be taken by tho Goyornraont to give concreto form to tho amiablo' sentiments which they, their supporters, and -their opponents expressed during tlio debato. •If they desiro tlio end, they must talco tho means. Tlio greatest danger in tho way of a settlement is that the Cabinet will bo too keen to gain points in. tactics. Mr. Balfour last night showed .no such anxiety. By the admission of all parties lie did nothing to mako compromise inorp difficult. Tlio issuo now lies'; with tho Government. . .If ' they show, a genuino desire for peace 011 fair terms, they will find a corresponding fooling on tho other side.