REFORM IN PORTUGAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 35, 11 February 1935, Page 10

REFORM IN PORTUGAL

INFLUENCE OE CHURCH

EDUCATION BY RADIO

(Received February 11, 2 p.m.)

L.ISBON, February 10. Senhor Jose Cabral introduced a Bill in the Assembly, proposing that army and navy officers and civil- servants who are Freemasons must'resign their posts or lodge membership in order to "destroy for all-time the menace Of Freemasonry." . , ,;

The Bill provides that lodge meetings must be held publicly and books and correspondence be open to Government inspection. Symbols and codes are prohibited. . :

The Assembly generally favours the Bill. ' '

Senhor Piriheiro Torres introduced Constitutional amendments tending to extend Catholicism, including Catholic tuition in all schools arid the abolition of the divorce law.,' ;'

Another deputy declared that the Republican Constitution- treated the Catholic Church like a dog. God must be re-established in the family, school, and Constitution to save the country from ruin. ■ .'■"■

Another Bill prefigures a drive against illiteracy, 60 per cent, of the population being unable to read and write. The plan provides for the installation of 40,000 radio receiving sets for every city and village square, surrounded by chairs and. tables '"■ for listeners to lessons. The' scheme would cost £150,000. >.•■:■-.- '■ . ■