THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7986, 15 March 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1906.

The disestablishment of the churches in France, which seemed to have been approved by so substantial a majority, has led to the fall of the Government after all. But it must not be supposed that the ecclesiastical controversy is wholly responsible for M. Rouvier's defeat. The whole question of the relations of Church and State was debated in the Chamber of Deputies in Ootober, 1904, and the Premier, after traversing the history of the relations between the Vatican and the Republic since 1870, declared his intention to adhere to the polioy that his predecessor had initiated and he himself pursued. Incidentally he asserted that the bishops and priests tnd come to an understanding to try the patience of the Republic, and warned the Chamber against attempting further negotiations with the Papal authorities. On that occasion the Chamber expressed its confidence in the polioy of the Government in this matter by 548

votes to BS. The change of Government early last year brought no appreciable change of policy in regard to the churches. The support accorded to the Premier varied on many questious and practically disappeaierl at times, butr there seams never to have been a doubt that the Chamber and the Senate strongly approved of the separation of Uhuroh and State and all that it entailed. It must be admitted, however, that the application of the law has created much turmoil in France this year. There was a wild riot at the Church of St. Clotilde in Paris on February Ist, when the Government agent proceeded to take an inventory of the ecclesiastical [ property. Two hundred young men, armed with sticks, announced their intention of resisting the entrance of the official, and when the latter appeared he was severely beaten. A free fight was the outcome. Police, fire brigade and soldiers all bore a hand; over 250 were arrested and over 100 were injured. Such scenes, though not common, have naturally roused widespread [resentment against the Government. But various influences have beeu at work during the month or two, weakening the power of the Government. M. Rouvier was substantially defeated in the Chamber at the end of January on a financial question concerning local administration, and haa experienced various other difficulties. The near approach of the general elections, moveover, has unsettled fch« parties, and members who may need the help of the clerical party in their campaigns probably welcomed the opportunity of expressing disap- i proval of the Government's action on a miuoi point. If this is the explanation ot the defeat, M. Rouvier's resignation must have come as a shock to the politicians who j had affected an air of independence j for the occasion.