IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2369, 9 December 1908, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE EDUCATION BILL. A LETTER FROM THE PRIMATE. United Press Association. Copyright LONDON, Dec. 7. The Primate, in, a letter to Mr. Runciman, reiterates that the inconsistencies- reported regarding con-tracted-out schools are exceptional and not the rule. The financial estimates of the cost under the abandoned Bill are largely conjectural on both sides. He .appeals for a further opportunity for reconsidering the Bill. He emphasises the continually growing desire for a balanced settlement on the lines of the propesed compromise.

The “Times” supports the proposal of the Primate, but recognises that the Government is in a difficulty until there is some central educational agency, adequately representing church opinion as a whole.

SPEECHES BY MESSRS ASQUITH

AND BALFOUR

United Press Association Copyright (Received Dec. 8, 11.50 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 8,

The House of Commons has assented to the withdrawal of the Education Bill.

Mr. Asquith remarked that the correspondence showed the condition of affairs, and lie agreed that a chance of a settlement did not at present exist. He expressed his deep personal disappointment at the breakdown of the negotiations, and his admiration for the strenuous, patient, and indomitable efforts of Mr. Runciman and the peace-makers on both sides. Mr. Asquith designated the Primate as the great Archbishop. Mr. Balfour said he recognised Mr. Asquith’s sincerity, but criticised the attempt to rush through a Bill containing in black and white only what the Church was called upon to relinquish and leaving open until the end what she was to receive.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

THE COMMONWEALTH PRE-

MIER’S OPINION

MELBOURNE, Dec. 8. Mr. Fisher, the Commonwealth Premier., referring to the proposed colonial nominees in the House of Lords, said that while lie did not consider a Council of the Empire an impossible proposition, any attempt to hurry it would defeat the object of those desiring closer collection with —jjr the Empire. On the face of it," the cable looked as if .it was proposed to allow Australian representation by nominees in the House of Lords. Australians were not likely to take kindly to such a proposal, seeing that the House of Lords had no power to deal with financial questions. The objection to nominees in any House would bo in the change of Ministries, so frequent in Australia, which might involve a variation of policy in Imperial matters. . There would also be ia- diffi- ' culty in securing suitable nominees. The man had not been born who would be free from influence in linperial affairs.

THE REFORM PROPOSALS.

NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN

(Received Dec. 8, 10.48 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 8. The Government does not intend to take any action on Lord Rosebery’s Committee’s report, on the ground that even if the proposals.were adopted, they would not solve the problem of the relations of the two Houses of Parliament.