THE EDUCATION BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13353, 6 December 1906, Page 5

THE EDUCATION BILL.

LORD LANSDOWNE'S AMENDMENT. THE PREMIER'S PROMISE. B.t ftjfjtripb — Prej« Association.--London, December '. In the House of Lords yesterday Lord Lansdowne's amendment in the Education Bill, making special provision for the children of parents who object to denominational religious instruction, called forth a vehement protest from the Marquis of Ripon (Lord Privy Seal), who thumped the desk before him and declared it was wholly impossible for the Government to accept it. (Received December 5. 9.30 p.m.) London, December 5. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, in a letter replying to the memorial from the nonconformist members of the House of Commons, asking him not to accept the amendments of the House of Lords on the Education Bill, says he is unable to foresee the purport of the amendment, but the Government will take the course most likely to ensure the passing of the Bill in a form in accordance with their views. The newspapers compare a declaration by Mr. Lloyd George at. Oxford, that the Government does not intend to dissolve Parliament over the Education Bill with Sir H. Campbell - Bannerman's statement contemplating the passing of the Bill. The Times says it considers the prospects of a settlement doubtful, because Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman ranges himself on the side of the Nonconformist members of the House of Commons. Nevertheless, despite the denunciation of the House of Lords' amendments, the debate more and more shows that the drafting and machinery of the original Bill were utterly ineffective.

The amendment of Lord Lansdowne completely reverses the intention of the Bill. As it "left the House of Commons, the Bill provided for the affording of special facilities for denominational instruction. The Bill, as amended, provides for denominational re. ligious instruction within the schools by the teacher.-, and for special facilities being afforded " in the schools or elsewhere" for the children of parents who object to sectarian teaching.