The Education Bill.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3943, 23 November 1908, Page 2

The Education Bill.

CABLEGRAMS.

United Press Association. (By Flectric Telegraph—Copyright)

London, November 21

Mr Asquith has announced that the Government has decided to introduce a new Education Bill, embodying a compromise which, while not ideally perfect, yet provides for a settlement without sacifice of principle on either side. He believed there was a solid reason for hoping that the settlement would meet with public support. The Times says that while meeting the grievances of the Nonconformists the Government has evolved a plan which is in no way ungenerous towards the proper demands of denominational ists, and hopes that even the Catholics may accept the solution. The Times says the chief points upon which an agreement is not reached are whether head teachers shall be permitted to give denominational instruction, the question of an increased grant to schools contracting out, and the right of denominations in future to elect schools able to be contracted out.

The Archbishop of Canterbury asks that all head teachers in all future council schools be free to volunteer to give denominational instruction.

Mr Runciman at present is not authorised to concede this to any head teachers.

The Tablet, commenting on the Education compromise, declares that Catholic children must be taught the Catholic religion in Catholic schools by Catholic teachers under Catholic supervision.

The Bishops of Worcester and St. Asaph severely rebuked Lord Halifax, president of the Church Union, and Lord Hugh Cecil tor issuing what was equivalent to a pastoral letter to the parochial clergy on the education question. This was an unwarrantable intrusion on the Bishops' prerogative.