EXEMPTION OF MARIST BROTHERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1917, Page 4

EXEMPTION OF MARIST BROTHERS.

LITTLE CHANCE OF AGREEMENT. By Wire.—Our Parliamentary Beporter. Wellington;, Last Night. The situation with regard to thei; exomption clause of the Expeditionary Forces Bill ia complex, and it is possible that a settlement will be delayed ibi 'a day or two. The Legislative" Council, when it struck out clause 3, deprived clergymen, as well as teachers, of exemption, though the clergy had scarcely been mentioned in the debate, The councillors might consent to reinstate the clergy, but they*, will not reconsider their decision with* regard to teachers, and it is stated, on good authority, that a ma. jority of the councillors are firmly opposed to granting any special exemption to the Marist Brothers. The attitude of the House has elements of uncertainty, but. according to lobby gossips, there is little, chance of the House agreeing to put the Marist Brother* in a class apart from other teachers, j "<• Prime Minister will move to-morrow time the House dis. agrees with the Council's amendment, and managers will then be appointed to seek a settlement by compromise. The settlement certainly will not be easy j 0 find, and the dispute is rousing political and personal issues of an undeniably serious kind. Some Ministers and members feel very strongly. Sir Joseph Ward will certainly not abandon his clause lightly. Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) informed your representative this afternoon that he would sooner resign his seat than grant exemption to the Marist Brothers. He claims that other members of the House take up the same attitude, and they are prepared to stay in Wellington till Christmas, if necessary, to fight the exemption proposed.