CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.] IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1906, Page 7

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

o THE PREMIER'S CLOSURE MOTION. ORDER OF BUSINESS. [PBESS ASSOCIATION.] LONDON, 19th June. In the House of Commons yesterday Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman moved his closure motion allotting thirteen additional days for discussion of the Education Bill in committee, and three days for report on the third reading. The Premier said the carrying of the motion would enable the House to adjourn on 4th August and resume in October, when the Merchant Shipping Bill and tho Workmen's Compensation Bill would ha proceeded with. He deplored irregular interference with full debate, and said lie hoped to submit at some future time a scheme to avoid the necessity for autocratic expedients. He predicted that soon the Parliamentary year would begin in the autumn and end in July. An amendment by Mr. Balfour was rejected by 341 votes to 171. The Premier's motion was carried as follows: — For % b.s *.* i... 262 Against 121 The Government had previously agreed to concede one more day for discussion of the Education Bill in committee. THE EDUCATION NETTLE. OBJECTION TO CLAUSE 4-. LONDON, 19th June. The National Council of Evangelical Free Churches, representing a thousand provincial associations, urged Mr. Birrell, Minister of Education, to withdraw clause 4 of the Education Bill (regarding extended facilities for religious instruction). Dr. Clifford remarked that if the clause was not withdrawn the. Government would be unable to rely upon the continued support of Nonconformists. Mr. Birrell, in the course of a noncommittal reply, admitted the ' unpopularity of clause 4, and promised to consult the other members of the Cabinet. PASSIVE RESISTANCE THREATENED. (Received June 20, 7.40 a.m.) LONDON, 19th June. A deputation of Nonconformist passive resisters threatened Mi-. Birrell that "they would continue that form of protest unless clauso 4 of the Education Bill is abandoned. [Clauso 4 in the Bill reads as follows: — "The local education authority may give extended facilities for religious instruction of gome special character in any transferred voluntary school in any urban area by permitting tho religious instruction given in the school to ba instruction of that special character, notwithstanding anything contained m previous Ante, if «n application is made to them for those extended facilities, and if thoy are satisfied, after holding a public local enquiry with reference to the application, that the parents of at least four-fifths of the ohildren attending the school desire those facilities, and if there is accommodation in the schools not affected by the permission given in this section for the children attending the school whose parents do not desire these facilities. Where extended facilities are so given the local education authority may also, if they think fit, permit the teachers employed in the school to give the instruction desired, but not at the expense of the authority.] MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL. LONDON", 19th June. The Standing Committee op Trade has completed consideration of the Merchant Shipping Amendmentf Bill. At the instance . of Mr. Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, several amendments wero deferred until the conference with the colonies on shipping questions, which will be held bofore the Colonial Conference next April. A MEMBER UNSEATED. (Received June 20, 7.40 a.m.) LONDON, 19th June. The Hon. T. C. Agar Robartes has been unseated for the Bodmin division of Cornwall, owing to corrupt practices connected with a garden party given by Lord and Lady Clifden. Mr. Justice Grantham bitterly complained of the unfairness of the Government in not insisting on proof or withdrawal of his alleged partisanship in connection with the Yarmouth election petition. The Liberal crowd hooted the Judges outside the court, and attacked a Conservative agent.