The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-16 00:00:00

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' , CONFERENCE Oiv Duo ATEAv
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1

Yesterday a conference of. the- frienk
education commenced its sittings in the T,
Manchester. Among others present there were the
Hon. H. A. Bruce, M.P., W. E. Forster, MP., T.
Bazley, M.P., Lord De Grey and Ripon, Hon. E. L.
Stanley, Colonel Grey, M.P., T. B. Potter, M.P., B.
Samuelson, M.P., E. W. Watkin, M.P., B. Whitworth,
M.P., Edmond Beales, M.A., W. Graham, M.P., R. N.
Philips, M.P., J. Candlish, M.P., G. Dixon, M.P., Hon.
Auberon Herbert, J. Peel, M.P., Hon. Alfred Seymour,
M.P., S. Whitbread, M.P., Jacob Bright, M.P., James
Stansfeld, M.P., Sir H. W. Barron, M.P., P. Vauderbyl,
M.P., T. Barnes, M.P., J. Cheetham, M.P., Revs. the
Deans of Chester and Manchester; Archdeacon Durnford,
Sir Wilfrid Lawson, Bart., E. A. Leatham, J. T. Hib-
bert, M.P., Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, M.P., Rev. Dr.
Beard, the Hon. G. C. Brodrick, and many other wel:-
known friends of education from various places in England
Scotland, and Wales.

PUICE. 4d.
BTA3IPED

to the religious element constitute the highe'st test
of the truly civilised community. The old province
of Lower Canada heretofore made in this direction
efforts which were attended with marked success ;
and with a reasonable anxiety to leave no room for
our people to envy another, the Government of the
province of Canada lately caused examination to
be made in Europe of the various systems of educa-
tion there maintained, and of the literary and scien-
tific institutions of the old world, with the view to
the engrafting upon our own system whatever might
be seen to be wanting to it. This most important
subject will receive, without delay, the utmost at-
tention of the Government. Occupying an im-
portant geographical position in the Confede-
ration, comprising within her limits the two
oldest and most populous cities of British
America, peopled by the descendants of the two
foremost nations of Europe, having in the noble
sacrifices long since made upon her soil for the esta-
blishment of Christianity and civilisation, and even
in the very struggle of our French and English an-
cestors, a past of which she may well be proud, this
province cannot fail to enjoy a future of well-being,
if her people continue to develope in peace and har-
mony the germs of prosperity which are at their
disposal. Ido not doubt but that your wisdom and
your love for our common country will suggest to
you the means of so doing. Canadian by birth,
having borne part in the deliberations and labours
of former legislatures and governments, I do not
need to say to you how entirely the high trust com-
mitted to you commands my respect and sympathy.
I pray that Divine Providence may deign to bless
your ,labours and to pour on you and yours all its
favours for the new year which is about to open,
and during which we are to lay the foundation of
the greatness and prosperity of this our province of
Quebec, so dear to all of us.

Mr. BRUCE, in opening the discussion, said : We have
song passed the preliminary stage of statistical inquiries.
We have found a gigantic evil winch no State machinery
now in force can overcome. A more stringent system is
necessary for the .education of the working classes, and
all are agreed that the only way out of the difficulty is by
local rates locally administered. This is the basis of the
conference at which it is hoped by communication of
opinion and argument to remove, or at least to reduce to
the narrowest proportions, the differences that exist.
(Hear, hear.) In advocating a permissive measure, the
Council would not be held as denying the principle that it
is the duty of the State to see to the education of all its
citizens, but they wished to follow what seemed to them
to be a feasible and prudent policy. What is wanted is
advance and improvement. The most sanguine do not
believe in the passing of such a measure of national
education as shall satisfy the aspirations of our best and
wisest reformers. What is sought, therefore, is a steady
and continuous progress rather than a complete change of
system. Mr. Bruce cited opinions of many high autho-
rities of various shades of religious and political opinion
in favour of secular education, and in conclusion he sub-
'flitted the two following points for discussion :—l. Per-
missive or compulsory rating ; 2. If compulsory, Lou
set in motion ?
Speakers were restricted to ten minutes each.
Archdeacon SANDFORD believed if landowners am
others had given as much support to education as is given
by the parochial clergy, the children of the country would
be very different from what they are at present. In face
of the tremendous facts given in Mr. Bruce's pamphlet,
that 170,000 children in London, who ought to be in school,
are not, and that there are eight parishes without schools.
he believed it necessary to have not merely a permissive
but a compulsory bill.
Mr. Dixosi, M.P., declared himself to be a strong as
earnest advocate of compulsory rating.
The Hon. AUBERON HERBERT supported the same view
with especial application to agricultural districts.
Mr. W. E FORSTER, M.P., said the reason why he was
in favour of Mr. Bruce and Mr. Egerton's permissive bill
last year was, not that such a measure would meet the
difficulties of the question, but because he thought public
opinion and the opinion of the House would not consent
to more than a permissive measure. But the cause has
made great progress since last year, and the country if
now ripe for a complete bill. The voluntary educationists
are assisting instead of obstructing. The present Go.
vernment will find means to meet the religious difficulty
which could hardly be expected in opposition; and, finally-,
the Reform Act will give increased power to the people
of the country. The country being ready for a compulsory
bill, it would be wrong for the Legislature not to respond
to the wish of the country ; and, if they did not, they
would find, and ought to find, that the wattsr will be
taken out of their hands. He would give the right to s
majority of ratepayers in the borough to establish a school,
and, where that was not done, the Government should, if
necessary, have power to force a district to rate itself. It
would be unwise to come forward with a bill for the corn-
puLsory rating of the whole country, as in some cases a
district is already provided for ; but such a bill as he sug.
gested would provide for districts which would otherwise
remain neglected.

On the same day the Legislature of Ontario was
opened by Lieutenant-Governor Stisted with the
following speech :

Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,—ln ac-
cordance with the provisions of a statute of the
Imperial Parliament for the Federal Union of the
British North American Provinces, and for the
erection of separate local governments in ttie pro-
vinces of Ontario and Quebec, I have been deputed
in the name of her Majesty the Queen to open the
fist session of the Legislature of Ontario. I re-
joice at the opportunity which has been thus afforded
to me of welcoming the representatives of the people
in this city, so long known as the capital of Upper
Canada. This day is the commencement of a new
and important era in our political annals. We are
met together under the authority of the BritiSh
Crown, to enter upon a more extended application
than we have hitherto enjoyed of the priucip!e of
local self-government. For years past it has
been the aim and effort of Upper Canada to
secure a more direct and unlimited control over her
own local affairs than was attainable whilst in
legislative alliance with another province. Sensible
of the many advantages which have accrued to both
sections from this union, since its accomplishment
in the year 1851, the people of Western Canada
have, nevertheless, desired a wider and more elastic
governmental system, which, while it should
strengthen and consolidate British dominion on this
continent, should also afford larger opportunities for
their own particular growth sad. expansion. This
object we have now obtained through the beneficent
interposition of the mother country. The provi-
sion for the future government of this province
is, in one respect, peculiar and exceptional. It
confers upon you, gentlemen, the exccusive pri-
vilege 'of framing laws in relation to matters
within your jurisdiction, unaided and unchecked
by the supervisory control of another Chamber.
It remains for you to justify, by your wisdom,
moderation, and forethought the confidence so
freely reposed in you by the Imperial Govern-
ment. You begin your legisl ttive labours with
resources at your disposal large enough to justify
the hope that they will prove adequate not only for
the actual requirements of the Government, but
also to satisfy the wants of this rapidly-improving
country. It will devolve upon you to consider the
best and most appropriate means of husbanding
these resources, and of augmenting as far as pos-
sible the public wealth. I would earnestly press
upon your attention the expediency of encouraging
immigration and the occupation of our public lands
by affording to the working classes of Europe, and
to the young men of our own province, additional
inducements to settle and remain amongst us. The
enactment of a liberal homestead law, with a free
graneof land to bona fide settlers, would, I appre-
hend, prove of inestimable advantage in adding
to the number and quality of our resident
population. lam authorised to inform you that
arrangements are in progress for the speedy ap-
pointment of arbitrators for the division and
adjustment of the debts, credits, liabilities, pro-
perties, and assets of the late provinces of Upper
and Lower Canada, under . the 142nd sec-
tion of the British North American Act. When
these gentlemen shall have completed their labours
a copy of their report shall be laid before you. The
expenses hitherto attending the establishment of a
local government in this province have been neces-
sarily incurred upon the sole responsibility of the
several heads of public departments appointed
thereto, but I have directed detailed accounts of
all such expenditure to be submitted to you for
your approval and sanction. I have also caused
estimates of the anticipated revenue and expendi-
ture for the ensuing year to be prepared, which
I commend to your careful attention, relying
upon your readiness to make suitable provision
for the exigencies of the public service within
that period. In carrying out the special objects
for which you have been constituted as a legislative
body, you will also be required to bestow your
most serious consideration upon such applications
as may be made to you for the incorporation of
companies for provincial purposes or for the pro-
motion of local works and undertakings. And it
must be your endeavour, while affording due en-
couragement to individual enterprise, to protect
the interests of the public at large from 'the conse-
quences of rash or ill-advised speculations. In the
fulfilment of these onerous and responsible duties I
have the utmost confidence in your zeal and fidelity
to the trust committed to you by the Constitution,
and in your loyalty and attachment to the person
and Government of our gracious Sovereign. But I
your immediate functions are limited
prominent and
local concern, you form the most
dominion which, I
would beseech you always to reme.mtebdetrotinhaatt,
populous portion of a new-born
from the At-
lanticventure to hope, will ere long extend
h B •
mul-
titude of thriving and contented subjects of t e n-
new
tish Crown. Your own position in this. is, will
Con-
federacy, weighty and influential.
hereafter become relatively of increasing magnitude,
according to the degree of prudence,
sagacity, and
to the Pacific, and be the home eitofnaowvasislwill
forethought you may evince in the management of
the important interests entrusted to your care.
May the blessings of Almighty God accompany
your deliberations, and make them conduce to the
public welfare and to the lasting happiness of the
people of Ontario.

Mr. BAZLEY, M.P., announced himself to be an uncom:
promising supporter of compulsory rating and of compul-
sory attendance at schools.

Mr. JACOB BRIGHT, M.P., believing the country is not
ripe for a compulsory bill for the whole nation, and think.
ing a permissive bill may be carried, was still sufficiently
zealous in the cause of education to agree with the com-
promise suggested by Mr. Forster.
Professor JACK, of Owen's College, agreed with Mr.
Herbert and Mr. Forster, and shewed that the comparison
of England with Prussia in education is more to the
disadvantage of the former than appears on the sur-
face, on account of the inferior character of many of
her schools.

Dr. JOHN WATTS advocated secular education, leaving
the clergy and ministers to settle the religious matter
amongst themselves. (Hear, hear.) He affirmed the
truth of his statistics, and added that many of the tuiedu
cated children are also not at work. He supported Mr.
Forster's views.

The Rev. NV. N. MOLESWORTH, M.A., Rochdale, having
at first supported the permissive bill as a matter of
expediency, would support a compulsory bill if there was
a reasonable prospect of carrying it.
Mr. FORSTER, M.P., believed there would be a better
chance of carrying a compulsory than a permissive bill.
Mr. J. C 4-, FITCH, inspector of schools, said the loca
rate proposed would be so heavy as to provoke resistance
and, though it might be better than local subscriptions,
that system should not be allowed to supersede imperial
grants and the contributions of the parents. Iruperia!
grants involved the desirable condition of competent
inspection, while the payments by the parents gave them
a special interest in the school. The national ideal of
education would always be higher than the local ideal.
(Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN explained that his bill did not contem-
plate depriving schools of the imperial grant,
Dr. G A.RRETT held that as the intellect of a child is the
only inherent property which he receives from his Creator,
the State is bound not only to protect the property, but to
see it is so managed during infancy as to give the owner
the right and proper use of it in advanced life. He there.
fore supported compulsory education and compulsory
attendance.

Dr. PANKHURST advocated the same system, on tno
ground that elementary instruction, being of universal
necessity, ought to he of universal provision.
Archdeacon POLLOCK, having had experience of mining,
manufacturing, and rural districts, had long ago ce,ine to
the conclusion that without a compulsory system of edu-
cation the lower stratum of our population will never be
reached. The working classes are always spoken of as
being desirous of doing their duty by their children. He
VMS sorry to say that this was not always the case.
Mr. GOSCHEN, M.P., replying to previous arguments,
and adopting an opinion advanced by the last speaker,
said it was the State's duty to look after ,a matter of this
immediate importance in the same way as it is the duty of
the State to look after sanitary matters. It is not desirable
to go too far. The limit is clear enough : the State is
bound to interfere in this case where the subjects with
which it deals are not able to assist themselves. England
is, perhaps, the only country where every person born has
a right to be maintained at the expense of the community,
and it appeared to him that to a certain degree education
Was a natural corollary of our poor-law system. (Hear,
hear.) If the country is bound to support the children,
surely it has a right to step in and say we will compel
every child to be put in a position where he shall have
the means of earning his living. (Hear, hear.) In the
metropolis a system is wanted which will pick up those
districts which are not dealt with by voluntary effort, and
which have neither the power, inclination, nor public
spirit to aid themselves, because in all large communities,
where one class cannot see what goes on in another, it is
necessary that some public body should step in and take
the initiative. He agreed with Mr. Herbert and Mr.
Forster in endorsing the view advanced by Mr. Lowe at
Edinburgh, that the bill should not be compulsory over
the whole country, because it is more important to utilise
voluntary effort where we find it. (Hear, hear.) Where
you encourage a rate you may discourage voluntary effort.
'Therefore he would keep the rate as a last resource ; but
it would be necessary to have an educational survey of
England and Wales, and to deal without delay with the
high
pauperism,
toieytollue i r own
evils that undoubtedly exist. There are districts in Lon-
don so pressed down already by rates that it is too
itdollyvashfakelrleinthtahemeinrtaottoas
sktaaeretepes
ootfihi
iegi
have an education rate voluntarily adopted. A ratepayersgreat deal
of opposition may be expected front persons who will say
that it is unfair to place this burden upon one kind of
aremu accord.c h.rapidly
matter
sldk
ibne d
o
property. Therefore it is not impossible that the system
of
atrtaetrin
ogisht
reconsideredOn that ainccoourdttijitr2o ctlruealge.,rt the
hae
financial opposition ti this measure would be less than
expected.
might otherwise be
Earl DE GREY then rose to move " That this Conference
requests the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, the Hon. W. E.
Forster, and the Hon. Algernon Egerton either to reintro-
duce the bill of last session, with such modifications as
may be deemed desirable, in conference with the Educa-
tion Bill Committee, to render it more complete, or to lead
their support to any Government measure based on similar
principles." The noble earl submitted that the permissive
bill of last session would have been a step in advance, and
would have shewn how Manchester and Birmingham
would have worked uncles- it. We should be careful not to
impede the existing machinery, imperfect though it be,
because there are districts where it would be a mischievous
waste of power to introduce compulsory rating. On the
other hand, he cordially agreA that there are many dis-
tricts in town and country in which there is little hope
of seeing any system of permissive rating. put in
operation. Believing that we cannot wait until
these backward and recalcitrant districts may be pleased.
up their rurions-
to lay aside their ignorance and give
ice, _
ness, he cordially agreed in the view Iv ),ai by a ,
other speakers.
Herbert, Mr. Forster, Mr. Goseben,
While this matter was safe in the bands to which it was
entrusted, it could be better dealt with by the responsibly
advisers of the Crown ; and he was confident that if tbey
and this Parliament did not deal with the question, the
new
Parliament would deal with it ; for confident he was
that the on .ly safe corollary to universal suffrage was
universal education. (Applause.)
Mr. STANSFELP, M.P.. in seconding, believed a permis-
sive bill would be laughed out of the House and out of the
country. He had never yet seen a popular meeting which
was not unanimous in calling upon +he State to fulfil its
duty in this respect. Therefore, he believed in the neces-
sity for a compulsory system of national
was in favour of the reconstruction of the permissive bill
of last session with compulsory clauses.
The motion was carried unanimously,

THE STAFFORDSHIRE IRON TRADE.—The north
Staffordshire ironmasters propose to reduce the wages of
millinen 10 per cent., and of puddlers a shilling per ton.
The men, it is asserted, will strike, under the advice from
the South Staffordshire Unions, if the masters persist in
the reduction.

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