THE SUEZ JUNE MAIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 695, 15 August 1870, Page 2

THE SUEZ JUNE MAIL.

The following is from the Argus London correspondence, and is dated June 17 :— THE EDUCATION BILL. The education question is this week the most exciting topic of debate, The long interval since the second reading of the Government Bill ha 9 allowed time for public opinion to ripen, but we do not seem much nearer a settlement. There have been private conferences and public meetings in all parts of the kingdom ; ecclesiastical committees have met and consulted ; but the " religious difficulty " has not yet been satisfactorily solved. One thing is noticeable amongst the sects, that a larger number sre prepared to abandon their distinctive denominational teaching in favour of a system of Bible reading; but there is a strong party who would limit the instruction given in rate-aided schools to secular subjects. The Government attempted to meet objections by the offer of "a timetable conscience clause," which would restrict the religious teaching to certain fixed hours, when parents would have power to withdraw their children if they, chose. But this does not go far enough to satisfy. There are other pointß in the bill which also have been warmly discussed, and tbe list of private amendments is very long. It seems, indeed, uncertain at the present moment whether tbe measure can be carried this session, bo great is the division of opinion. Mr Forster told his constituents at Bradford the other day that he himself had been converted to the compulsory system, though he did not think the country was prepared to adopt it; and there have been other indications that the Ministry are anxious, on all the questions in dispute, to find a common basis to unite all parties, but the events of last night leave it still doubtful whether they .will suoeeed. The evening had been fixed for the discugsion in committee, and one or two important amendments touching the principle of the measure were to have been brought forward, when Mr Gladstone rose to make some further explanations and concessions. He now proposes that the denominational schools shall be excluded altogether from the action of the local boards; that no further building grants shall be made, but that they shall receive from the Committee of Education larger annual grantß as they can show good results in secular teaching. Then he suggests that in the new rate-aided schools the teachers shall be free to give religious instruction, but that no catechisms or formularies shall be allowed. These changes so took the House by surprise that time will now be required for further consideration.