Education Bill.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8192, 18 May 1906, Page 5

Education Bill.

British Ministry Eirra. Challenge to the House of Lords. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press Association.) LONDON, May 17. Speaking at Dover yesterday, Lord Portsmouth, Under-Secretary for War, said that unquestionably the two main principles of Mr Birrell's bill were affirmed at the general election by an unprecedentedly decisive expression of opinion. If the Liberals, with a majority of over two hundred, allowed the Tory Episcopal party in the House of Lords to repudiate ' the deliberatelyexpressed voice of the nation, they would stand convicted of political sterility. If the extreme policy of uncompromising hostility to the Bill continued, said Lord Portsmouth, the Government was prepared to accept the challenge. He was certain the issue of a general j election fought over the Education Bill would be <o strengthen the cause of Church Disestablishment. He added that, while following the main principles ol; the bill, the GovernI ment would approach any reasonable I amendment with an open mind. Meetings lor ami Against. LONDON, May 18. Mr Hobhouse presided at a conference of sixty Ministerialist Shurchmen to consider the.Jiiducation Bill. It was resolved, while maintaining the leading principles of the bill, to sup port such concessions in matters of detail as will best promote the safe passage and smooth working of the bill. A great meeting of City Churchmen was held yesterday. Mr Balfour and Sir Edward Clarke were the chief speakers. A resolution protesting against the Education Bill was carried, with five dissentients.