NEW EDUCATION BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6678, 28 November 1908, Page 9

NEW EDUCATION BILL

SECOND READING PRODUCES SPIRITED DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. DEBATE ADJOURNED. By Teiegraph—Preea Association—Copyright. (Received November 27, 10.43 p.m.) LONDON, November 27. During tho second reading debate on tho Education Bill in tho Houso of Commons on Wednesday some spirited speeches were delivered. By tacit consent members on both sides of the Houso wore emancipated from party discipline, and when, at tho conclusion of the- resumed debate yesterday, the division was taken, they voted according to personal inclinations. The Prime Minister, Mr Asquith, contended that the Nonconformists had gained in substance what the Government had pledged itself to obtain for them; and the Church had secured the right of entry to council schools. Moreover, the Church might erect its own school in single-school areas. This would not bo at tho expense of tho rates, tut the Exchequer would grant liberal .assistance in such cases. Mr Asquith mentioned the fact that Roman Catholics in Scotland recognised the “ contracting-out ” system. The average grant for each child there was 40s, compared with 50b provided for in the present Bill.

Tho speeches that followed embodied a continuous stream of criticism or half-hearted commendation of tho Bill.

At an early stage of tho debate Mr Balfour, leader of the Opposition, had laid emphasis on tho fact that no one regarded this compromise as a final settlement, and no one was prepared to defend it on its merits. He foresaw that much strife would be caused before the question was satisfactorily dealt with. Mr Asquith promised to accept amendments in committee. The division was then taken, with I the following result: — For the second reading ... 322 Against ... ... 157 The majority included Mr Austen Chamberlain, Mr Alfred Lyttelton, Sir J. H. Kennaway (Devon), Sir Philip Magnus (London University), Sir William Anson (Oxford University), and a score of other Unionists. Included in the minority wore sixty-seven Nationalists, the bulk of tho Labour members, Air Balfour, Mr G. Wyndham (Dover), Mr Walter Long (Dublin South), Mr Douglas, Earl Percy (South Kensington), Lord Robert Cecil (East Marylebone), Air Joynson-Hicks (Manchester), and some other Unionists, Mr T. Lough (West Islington), Mr Edward H. Piclcorsgill (Bethnal Green), and Mr J. H. Yoxall (Nottingham), Liberals. Many members abstained from voting. GROWING MISTRUST. "THE TIMES'” ADVISES EAiRLT AMENDMENTS. LONDON, November 27. " The Times,” in mentioning the existence of growing mistrust in the Government's exposition of the details or tho Bill, declares that it peace is desired Alinisters will lose no time in announcing what amendments it is prepared to make. A COMPROMISE OBJECTOR. RESIGNS OFFICE BY WAY OP PROTEST. LONDON, November 26. Mr OEarles A. Cripps, K.C., VicarGeneral of the province of Canterbury, has resigned as a protest against the education compromise. DR BOURNE'S DECLARATION. MEASURE AFFORDS NO' REAL SETTLEMENT. LONDON, November 36, The Most Rev. Dr Bourne, Arch : bishop of Westminster, speaking on behalf of the Catholic hierarchy, declares that Air Runciman’s Bill '. is no real settlement of the education question.RELIGION IN SCHOOLS. necessary to moral health OF THE STATE. ~ (Received November 28 0.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 27. Dr Neligan, Bishop of Auckland, in a letter to “The ■ Times,” urges the Motherland to -teach her daughter nations that , religion in schools is necessary to the moral health of the State.