EXEMPTION OF MARIST BROTHERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1746, 30 October 1917, Page 3

EXEMPTION OF MARIST BROTHERS.

LITTLE CHANCE OP AGREEMENT. The situation with regard to the exemption clause of the Expeditionary Forces Bill is complex, and it is possible that a settlement will be delayed for a day or two. The Legislative Council, when it struck out clause 3, deprived clergymen, as well as teachers, of exemption, though the clergy had scarcely been mentioned in the debate. .The councillors might. consent to reinstate the clergy, but they will not reconsider their decision with regard to teachers, and it is stated, on good authority, that a majority of the councillors are firmly opposed to granting any special exemption to the Marist Brothers. The attitude of the House has elements of uncertainty, but, according to lobby gossips, there is little chance of the House agreeing to put the Marist Brothers in a class apart from other teachers. The Prime Minister will move to-day that the House disagrees with the Council’s amendment, and managers will then be appointed to seek a settlement by compromise. The settlement certainly will not be easy to find, and the dispute is rousing political and personal issues of an undeniably serious kind. Some Ministers and members feel very strongly. Sir Joseph Ward will certainly not abandon his clause lightly. Mr Nosworthy (Ashburton) informed a Press representative that he would sooner resign his seat than grant exemption to the Marist Brothers. He claims that other members of the House take up the same attitude, and they are prepar(ed to stay in Wellington till Christmas, if necessary, to fight the exemption proposed.