SCHOOL LEAVING AGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18257, 19 February 1931, Page 8

SCHOOL LEAVING AGE.

BILL BEFORE THE LORDS

PONSONBY AROUSES RESENTMENT

REJECTION MOVED

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright

LONDON, Feb. 17

In the House of Lords, Lord Ponsonby, in moving the second reading of the School Leaving Age Bill, described it as a small step “forward on the educational ladder, and an attempt to break down the harrier which for many generations had been purposely preserved in order to keep the workers in subjection through ignorance.” Cries of “No” and “Withdraw." The Minister, continuing, said he did not believe the Opposition really opposed the principle of raising the school age. “The expansion of education had produced the Labour Party; that is why you hesitate to carry it further.” Lord Hailsham, in moving the rejection of the Bill, said his only motive was that stated in Mr Snowden s declaration in the House of Commons, that however desirable the reforms might be, the country could not at present afford them. The Archbishop of York regretted that Lord Hailsham had taken a lead from the rising hope of the stern unbending Tories, who at present was Chancellor of the Exchequer. He said: “The main principle of the Bill was the raising of the school age. if they rejected the Bill it would he inferred that the House of Lords was opposed to that principle.” He added: “By the age of 14 people had begun to read but the cultivation of laste had not begun. it is true the greatest social and political peril was the cheap newspaper, and the root thereof was (lie limited education of the people. If they had less education they could not, and if they had more they would not, read them. As it was, we condemned them to be victims of such influence.” The Bishop of London, in supporting the Bill, claimed that the Anglican Church had been the pioneers of education in England for centuries. At present Churchmen were paying £lO,000 weekly for it. The people must be educated. The debate was adjourned.