BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8144, 19 May 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE EDUCATION BILL. ' MEETINGS OF CHURCHMEN. LONDON, May 18. Mi Hobhouse presided at a conference of sixty Ministerialist Churohmen to consider the Education Bill. It was resolved, while maintaining the 'leading principles of the i Bill, to support such concessions in matters of detail as will best promote the safe passage and smooth working of the Bill. Aigxeat meeting'of City Churohmen was held yesterday. Mr Balfour and Sir Edward Clarke were the ohief speakers. A resolution protesting against the Education Bill was carried, with five dissentients. WELSH LEGISLATION. Received May 18, 8.29 a.m. . LONDON, May 17. The Welsh Party strongly support •Mr Keir-Hardie'e motion referring Bills affecting the Principality W'hen 'read a second time to a com•mitfcee, consisting chiefly of Welsh members. A CHALLENGE TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS. ' '.. LONDON, May 17. Speaking at Dover yesterday Lord Portsmouth, Under-Secretary for War, said that unquestionably the jtwo main principles of Mr Birrell's | Education Bill were atbrmed at the g9neral election by an unpreoedentedly decisive expression uf opinion. If the Liberals, with a majority of over 200, allowed the Tory Episcopal Party in the House of Lords to repudiate the deliber-ately-expressed voice of the nation, they would stand convioted of political sterility. If the extreme oolioy of uncompromising hostility to the Bill continued, said Lord Portsmouth, tne Government was prepared to aooept the challenge., He was certain the issue of a general election fought over the Education Bill would be to strengthen the oause of Church Disestablishment. He added that, while following the main principles of "the Bill, the Government would, apnroaob any reasonable amendment with an open mind.