EDUCATION BILL. NEW MEASURE INTRODUCED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 124, 24 November 1908, Page 7

EDUCATION BILL. NEW MEASURE INTRODUCED.

SOME DETAILS. POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESS FROM BRINK OF FAILURE. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 23rd November. The new Education Bill was introduced in the Houso of Commons yesterday by Mr. Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Education, and read a first time pro forma. Details of the measure are now published, and are hailed with some hope. The Times remarks that since it is impossible to induce the negotiating paities each to mtXie an ultimate concession, the Government proposes to follow the middle course and be its own authority. Whatever Lha fate or merits of the Bill, the consensus of opinion is that this is a masterly policy. It has enhanced Mr. Runciman's political reputation, and snatched tho possibility of success from the brink of failure. The Bill makes the county council type of school general, abolishes religious tests, and offers all denominations the right of entry to all schools. Assistant teachers are allowed to volunteer to give denominational teaching twice a week, and head teachers in transferred schools are allowed (but only during the next five years) similarly to volunteer. The local authorities' permission can only be withheld if the services required affect the general conduct and discipline of a school. "Contr acting-out," except hi amgle school areas, is permitted, on the basis of relinquishing the rate and receiving a largely-increased' State grant. Mr. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, was not consulted in connection with the measure.