The Education Bill.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8197, 25 May 1906, Page 5

The Education Bill.

The Question of Keligious ' Teaching. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press Association). LONDON, May 24. Nonconformists are thunderstruck at Mr T. Lough's iaux pas m opposing Mr Maddison's amendment to the Education Bill. They declare that his belittling of Bible teaching has given away the case for the Bill. In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr W. Runciman (Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board) was put up to reassure Noncomformists by eulogising the efficiency of the Cowper-Temple system. Mr Ramsay MacdonaJd (chairman of the Independent Labour party) objeeted to simple Bible teaching in schools, because it was inadequate i secure genuine religious instruction. Mr Balfour considered Mr Maddison's amendment, if carried, would cut the schools Jadrift from religion. He supported Mr Chamberlain's motion. Tne debate was adjourned.

When the Education Bill was under consideration in committee last Wednesday, Mr F. Maddison (Labour) moved that no religious instruction be given in schools transferred under the bill during school hours or at public expense. Mr T. Lough (Liberal) opposed the amendment, declaring that if re K gious instruction were not given in schoo's, very many children would not receive it at all. It was necessary to employ skilled teachers —simple Bible reading and moral teaching were not enough. Mr George Wyndham said he hoped after Mr Lough's speech the special facilities clause would be made mandatory. Mr Chamberlain thought the secularism of the amendment would violate the instincts of an overwhelming majority. He moved the omission of the prohibition of religious instruction in school hours.