BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8138, 12 May 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE EDUCATION BILL

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Received May 11, 8.12 a.m. LONDON, May 10. The debate on the Government's Education Bill was continued in the House of Commons yesterday. Mr James Bryce, Chief Secretary for Ireland, admitted that the Catholics had a special case, and were entitled to some concessions. j He added that the Government, with j an open mind, was willing to send the Bill to a committee to consider amendments iu conformity with the main principles. Mr Chamberlain said if the Government yielded the Catholic claims it would wean retaining the religions tests for teachers and abolishing cootrol. Any concessions granted to them uould not be withheld from others. Th« principle of State oo'itrpl of religious iustruotion was opposed' to every Free Church prinoiple. The only proper settlement, added Mr Chamberlain, was parental choice of religious teaching; the State to allow teachers without tests to volunteer to give teaching without the State paying for it. (The Bill, as introduced by Mr Augustine Birrell. proposes to enact that from the beginning of 1908 all elementary schools shall become "provided Bohools," the publio control of these schools to be complete. There are, according to the provisions of the Bill, to be no religious tests for teachers. The ordinary staff is to give simple Bible lessons from 9 o'clock until a quarter to ten, but there shall be no catechism or distinctive formularies).

READ A SECOND TIME. Received May 12, 1.29 a.m. LONDON, May 11. In the House of Commons the Education Bill was read a second time by 410 votes to 204 votes. The Opposition included four Labourites and 78 Nationalists. Mr T. H. Sloan, an Independent Conservative, voted with the Government. Pourteen Irish Unionists abstained from voting. REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS. Received May 11, 8.12 a.m. LONDON, May 10. In the House of Commons Sir Arthur Vivian moved a strong motion favouring a reduction of the armament i. The proposition was accepted by Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who expressed the hope that it would influence other Parliaments. The motion was adopted without dissent, on Sir Edward Grey's de-, deration that Britain would take the initiative at The Hague Conference, and do what she was able to do. Everything depended on the response of the other nations.