The Education Bill.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8196, 24 May 1906, Page 5

The Education Bill.

Debated by the Commons. (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright). (Per Press Association.) LONDON. May 23. In the House of Commons during the debate on the Education Bill, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman accused Mr Chamberlain of misrepresenting Doctor T. J. MacNamara. Mr Chamberlain declared that the intervention was an impertinence. | Despite Ministerial cries of " withdraw " the Chairman declined to call Mr Chamberlain to order. Mr F. Maddison moved "that no religious instruction be given in schools transferred under the Bill during school hours, or at the public expense." Mr T. Lough opposed the amendment, declaring that if religious instruction were not given in the schools very many of the children would not receive it. It was necessary to employ skilled teachers. Simple Bible reading and moral teaching was not enough. Mr Wyndham hoped that after Mr Lough's speech the " special facilities " clause would be made mandatory. Mr Chamberlain thought that the secularism amendment would violate the instincts of the overwhelming majority. He moved the omission of the words " prohibition o± religious instruction in school hours'." Progress was then reported. Owing to new developments being expected the application of the closure .was deferred until next week.