IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 103, 10 May 1901, Page 3

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

NO CONFIDENCE MOTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 8. In the House of Commons, during a debate on the coal tax, Sir Edward Grey suggested the purchase of a portion of the Welsh coalfields for national purposes. Sir H. Fowler, when the second reading of tho Finance Bill comes on, will move that the Government’s proposals of taxation and debt are injurious to industry and commerce, and do not exhibit a needful economy, considering the increase of expenditure. Tho whole Liberal party will support Sir 11. Fowler. In tho House of Commons, Sir John Gorst, Vice-President of the Committee of the Council of Education, introduced tho Education Bill, ft is intended to establish local educational authorities throughout England and Wales, witli the idea of ultimately controlling all schools, elementary, secondary, and technical. Under the hill, country boroughs, acting through statutory committees, will be the educational authorities for the future, the Board of Education acting as a conciliator, and seeing Unit all interests are consulted. The Bill proposes to localise some of the large powers concentrated in country councils, and it is hoped some boroughs will throw in their lot witli the counties. Tho education committee will bo powerless to strike a rate, but will merely spend money provided by the county councils. The School Boards and their rating powers remain untouched, regarding ele-

mentary education, though their intimate absorption is contemplated. The measure was well received, although the Radicals assort that it got no more than a halfhearted welcome.