THE EDUCATION BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8141, 25 June 1906, Page 2

THE EDUCATION BILL.

CIRCUMNAVIGATING CLAUSE FOUB. MB BIBBELL'S AMENDMENT. Beceived 24, 4.22 p.m. London,. Jane 28, Theßt. Hon. A. Birrell's • amend, nent to the fourth olause of the Kdu■atiou Bill provides for a ballot, in >rder that parents may have an opporunity of expressing their wishes.. No \ cent shall be paid if extended facilities ire granted, but, if refused, owners nay appeal to the Board of Education ind the latter may order extended iacilities, or if it thinks expedient nnder • ipeoial circumstances, continue State tid, without levying a rate, and a ohool would thus be freed from popular control, voluntary subscriptions replacing rates. This form of contracting out would be limited to five, years. PBESS CBITIOIBM. - *! ' MB BALFOUB'S OPINION. CONFUSION INTENSIFIED. Beceived 24, 4.47 p.m. v London, June 23. Theßadioal newspapers dislike H* Birrell's cumbrous amendments to clause four, whioh they describe as a / safety valve to sectarian difference*. The "Daily Chronicle" says any large amount of contracting out is not." likely. The amendment is intended ae ; a safeguard against the abuse of power on the part of local authorities. The "Daily Telegraph" tays the proposal to deprive schools of rate aid . ' is a distinot invitation to local authori. • ..,- * ties to release their arrangements and * .'. save rates. Mr Balfour,' speaking at Church. House in the presence of the Aroh-f •* bishop of Canterbury, dooiared that' Mr Birrell's impolitio attempt pa the • Church's rightto teach its own children, roused and united every section.' The amendments to clause four intensified the confusion, but had not diminished the unfairness of the Bill.