EXEMPTION OF TEACHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10118, 27 October 1917, Page 5

EXEMPTION OF TEACHERS.

UPPER HOUS'E STRIKES OUT CLAUSE. (Fboh Oub Pabliamextaby Ripobiib.J WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. Last evening the Legislative Council considered the Expeditionary Forces Bill and showed quickly its disapproval of the decision of the House in favour of the exemption of all teachers. Sir Francis Bell argued that teachers ought to be exempted on the grounds of national interest and that, the ministrations of the clergy were essential to a very large section of the public. . The Councillors obviously wcro not impressed. They said that the House had ex. empted teachers merely in order to provide exemption for a small group of Murist Brothers. The matters were discussed for two hours on the second reading, some speakers objecting to exemption of any kind, whether clergymen or others. When the Bill reached Committee, Sir Francis Bell secured an amendment making it clear that the exemption of teachers applied only to men now on service, and not to men who became teachers after the passing of the Act. The. Council then divided on tho exemption clause affecting both clergymen and teachers and rejected it by 11 votes to 4. Sir Francis Bell moved to report progress and the Council adjourned until to-morrow afternoon. The rejection by the Council of the clause of the Expeditionary Forces Bill, exempting clergymen and teachers, did not surprise Parliamentary circles. The House to-night discussed the'exemption of Marisfc Brothers and was a little, surprised itself when it found that it had adopted a new clause exempting all teachers. The next move is with the Government. It is lilcely that a compromise will be reached, exempting clergy and including the Marist Brothers. The Council evidently will not agree to the exemption of teachers and the House is certainly not whole hearted on the point.