BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1792, 25 June 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE EDUCATION BILL,

CLAUSE FOUR,

Bg telegraph, Pffosa Aaa’n, Coßyright Roooivod 4 22 p,m,, Juno 24, London, Juno 2<3.

Mr Birroll’s amondmont to tho fourth olauso of tho Education Bill providoa a ballot in order that paronta may bavo tbo opportunity of expressing their wisbos. No rent shall bo paid if oxtonded facilities aro grantod, but if rofusod owners may appoal to tho Board of Education, and the lattor may ordor extondod facilities, or if they think expedient undor speoial circumstance?, continue State aid without levying a rate, and the Bohool will thus be freed from popular control, voluntary subscriptions replacing rates. This form of contracting out is limited to five yearsRadical newspapers dislike Mr Birrell’s oumbrous amendments to olauso four, whioh they desoribe as a safety valve to sectarian differonoe.

The Daily Ohroniolo soyß that any large amount of oontraoting out is not likely to bo extended as a safeguard against abuse of powor on the part of local authorities. The Daily Telegraph says tho proposal to doprivo a school of rate aid is a distinot invitation to local authorities to rGloase arrangements and save rates. Mr Balfour, speaking at Churoh Houso in tbo presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, declared that Mr Birrell's impolitic attempt on the Church’s right to toaoh hor own obildren had roused and unitod oyory section. The amendments to clause four intensified tho confusion, and had not diminished the unfairness of the Bill.