Church and State.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 184, 9 August 1904, Page 4

Church and State.

The chief feature of the programme of M. Combes' Ministry, composed of stalwart Radicals and supported by ■ the Socialists, consists in the uncompromising execution of the Associn- ° tions Law passed by his predecessor M. Waldeck-Roussoau. ' There were other items in the programme last C year—e.g., two years' •military service, old age pensions, and an income the one policy to ] which all the parties composing the 1 majority (the Republican " Bloc ">

as it was called) were prepared to give united and hearty support was the reduction of the power of the religious orders. The Senatorial elections strengthened the Government, which applied iteclf to its task in thorough-going fashion. Under the law of July, 1900, associations were required to apply for authorisation to the Chamber or the Council of State. Many which failed to apply wore closed by M. WaldeckKousseau. but others he left undisturbed. His successor acted far more rigorously, following the fixed anticlerical idea that the members of religious orders inculcated doctrines opposed to the republican form of government. Not only was the law put in force against the recalcitrant orders, but authorisation was in many cases refused where it was applied for. Nor was it the teaching orders alone that suffered. Preaching and commercial orders also were dissolved, among them being the Carthusians andi the English Benedictines of Douai. In some instances the law had to be carried out by force, and there were spasmodic disturbances. Relations with tb» clergy were greatly strained, the Government suppressing the stipends of several bishops, who opposed its policy, and the denunciation of the Concordat and separation of Church and Stata were seriously discussed. Tho situation has once more assumed a serious complexion, and developments will be awaited with Interest.