THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1906, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT. J THE EDUCATION BILL, MORE OF CHURCHILL’S BOSH. LONDON, May 14. The Committee of the Party of NonConformist members of the House of Commons has informed the Right Hon. Mr Birrell (Presidtkit of the Board of Education) that they will resist the obtaining of any extension of the concessions given under the fourfifths clause of his Education- Bill (which clause deals with special religious instruction), in the direction of making the action of local authorities in giving facilities for special religious teaching obligatory, or in the direction of giving any of the denominations the right to appoint teachers. Mr Winston Churchill (Under-Sec-retary for the Colonies) speaking at West Hartlepool, said that the new Parliament exhibited three remarkable characteristics. These were its willingness to accept Bannerraans guidance, the Opposition’s lamentable weakness, and the Labor Party s influence and strength, which had greatly increased the House of Commons wisdom, earnestness and dignity. It was he said, a mischievous falsehood to imply that the liberals desired to impair the principle of colonial selfgovernment. He applauded the loyalty of Lord Selborne (High Commissioner of South Africa) and ho hoped that rich reward would attend his labors. BRITISH DEFENCE SCHEME. POLICE REFORM PROMISED. LONDON, May 15. Portsmouth, in reply to Wemyss, made a/n important statement in regard to Horne defence. Britain had a mobilisation scheme, enabling her to mobilise as quickly as any other Oontinential nation. The two services were entirely in accord concerning measures of defence. . Bannerman promised to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into police methods of arrest and dealing with disorder in the streets at night. The Oommissictn would take special cognisance of the aspersions cast upon a French lady, who was illegally . ar^h* e( piural Voting Bill was read a Ml* second iftno* Forster’s amendment, insisting upon redistribution being pre-requisite to! any changes in the franchise, was negatived by 403 to 95.