IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 13014, 29 June 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE EDUCATION BILL. AN INTERESTING DEBATE. United Press Association—Per Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 27. Vehement speeches were made from the Irish benches on the inequality and injustice of the fourth clause of the Education Bill, with Mr Birrell's amendments.

Mr _ Redmond described contracting out as being kicked out.

Sir H. CampbeD-Baxmerman declared that the CathoHcs might go further and fare worse. The alternative offered on the Opposition side -was State-provided secular teaching with the right of entrv to all denominations. If it was adopted what would become of the Catholic atmosphere? Mr Birrell's Bill was undenominational. The Government meant the common elements of Christianity, with a flavour of Protestantism, to be taught in the schools, and had not imagined that this would be distasteful to Anglicans. The Government intended to adhere to clause 4, which was meant to conciliate Catholics.

Mr Balfour retorted that an attempt to settle or delegate to the local authorities what were the common dements of Christianity was arrogant, absurd, and inconsistent with liberal traditions. Regarding secular and theological relations, the Bill did. not redress either the denominationalists' or the passive resisters' grievances.

Mr Cave's amendment to extend the benefit clause to rural areas where there are alternative schools was negatived by 344 votes to 158 votes.

Mr Balfour emphasised the fact that the exclusion of a proportionately far greater number of Anglican than Catholic children was a deliberate blow at the Church.

CLAUSES PASSED. Received 12.37 a.m., June 28th. LONDON, June 28. After the Opposition's amendment had been rejected, clause 4 with Mr Birrel's amendments thereon was adopted by 415 votes to 138 votes.: Clause 5 was also passed. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman hopes to deal with the question of news in war time in 1907.