IMPERIAL POLITICS,

Otago Witness, Issue 2730, 11 July 1906, Page 19

IMPERIAL POLITICS,

LONDON, July 3. In the House of Commons Mr J. T

Walters moved an amendment to clau«e

6 of the Education Bill, which was intended to secure that religious instruction be given during the hours of compulsory attendance. The amendment was negatived by 283 votes to 267, and clause 6 was carried by 294 voles to 247. Forty Liberals, including Sir H-enry Fowler, Mr J. Bryce, and Mr Sydney Buxton, and 65 Nationalists voted in favour of Mr Walters's amendment.

July 4. Clause 7 of the Education Bill was passed by 364 votes to 183.

Mr Birrell intends to move the omission of clauses 14 to 24.

Clause 7 contains provisions a3 to teachers. It provides that a teacher in a public elementary school shaJl not give any religious instruction of a special character, except in cases where extended facilities are so afforded ; a teacher shall not be required to give any religious instruction, and shall not be required as a condition of his appointment to subscribe to any religious creed ; teachers in existing voluntary schools shall continue to hold office ; teachers in voluntary schools who lose their employment by reason of a school ceasing to be a public elementary school shall bo entitled to pay contributions to the deferred annuity fund, and to reckon the time in respect of which contributions are co made 39 if it were recorded service.

Clauses 14 to 24-, which it is proposed to omit, constitute part 2 of the bill, and deal with educational endowments, and give power to make schemes in respect to such endowments, and also suggest the appointment of an official trustee of. educational endowments.

July 6

In the House of Commons Mr Winston Churcnill announced that in future the Chinese desiring repatriation would be required to work for a month, and then, if they were of the same mind and were willing to give half a month's wages toward their travelling expenses, arrangements would be made for their return to China. After November 30 the British consular lepresentatives in China would discontinue to issue licenses to recruit coolies.

The special Gabssh Fbbteusib made up by Nnrao and Blaib -will be found to give axcellent resnlts when nsetHer Flowers and Vegetables; also for Pot Plants, in and out of greenhouse. I* is put tip in 71b bagt, at Is Cd each. Aek jour rtorekeeptr for it»