EXEMPTION OF TEACHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10119, 29 October 1917, Page 5

EXEMPTION OF TEACHERS.

INTERESTING SITUATION, (From Una Parliamentary Rxpohteb..) WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. A situation of considerable interest has been created by the action of tho Legislative Council in rejecting tho clause of the Expeditionary Forces Bill providing exemption for teachers. The matter was not further discussed in the Council today. The Bill, with the Council's amendment, was deferred until the next sitting day. This means that the matter will come up in the House on Monday, and it is no secret that in the meantime an energetic party whip is proceeding on both sides. This dispute regarding exemption has raised the party issue moro plainly than any other event of the session. The original Bill provided for the exemption of clergymen, but did not cover Marist Brothers. Sir Joseph Ward moved to add u general exemption for teachers, including Marist Brothers, and his amendment was carried in a division that followed tho party lines very closely. The Liberal leader carried his amendment against tho Prime Minister, who had the support of most of the Reform Ministers and members. Now the Council, by striking out tho clause, has thrown the question back into the Mouse, and it remains to be seen how a dangerous deadlock is to bo avoided. Another division on party lines might havo far-reaching results.

STRONG FEELING EVIDENCED. fPua Phbbb Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. Very keen interest is being taken in Parliamentary circles in the difficulty concerning the exemption clause of tho Expeditionary Forces Bill. Sir Joseph Ward, and many of the members who voted with him to secure exemption of teachers, including the Maris) Brothers, feel strongly on the subject, and will press their point. The lobby gossips, indeed, are saying that Sir Joseph Ward is prepared to carry l,fs insistence a very long way but it is SS certain that, the vote of last week in ,e House would be repeated.in tho event another division; while it w certain |n ~,-ither the House nor the Counci ,'asilv be persuaded to exempt .Marist Brothers without other teachers The oxSUiion of clergymen seems likely to be rC M T C No3 W orlhy (Aahburton), one of the strongest opponents of the exemption of ( Marist Brothers, informed your correspondent that ho would sooner resign hi Tthan grant exemption to the Marist In the Ho claimed that other mem£rfo7iho House take up the same at _ 1?. and they aro prepared to stdj n VcHington till Christmas if necessary to [Vght the exemption proposal.