The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-12 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1868.

The troublesome and pplexing questino f
Church Rates yesterday occupied the greater part
of the afternoon sitting in the Commons. Wednes-
day afternoon was for a long time devoted to the
discussion of religious and ecclesiastical problems,
and yesterday the custom was resumed. No less
than four bills were on the paper—proof positive
that the question under discussion was one of more
than ordinary interest and difficulty. The remedies
proposed by the several measures for the grievances
complained of were as various as their authors. Mr.
HARDCASTLE suggests abolition as a means of cutting
the Gordian Knot. Mr. GLADSTONE does not go
so far, though theoretically he inclines to wards the
voluntary principle supported by dissenters, for he
would abolish the compulsory nature of the rate,
though the difficulties in the way of recovering the
rates from a volunteer who fails to perform his
promise render 'his bill as it stands somewhat un-
certain. Mr. HUBBARD, again, would relieve
from payment all persons who claim exemp-
tion by notice to the churchwardens, while Mr.
NEWDEGATE'S iS a commutation bill. Three
of these bills stood for second reading, and Mr.
GLADSTONE'S for committee. By common consent
the first three were postponed until the Bth of April,
and the whole attention of the House was given to
Mr. GLADSTONE'S measure, which, after some dis-
cussion, passed through committee. The first
clause, which contains the main principle of the
measure, the abolition of compulsory rates, occa-
sioned a division, but it was carried by a large ma-
jority—the numbers being 167 to 30. The fifth clause
was struck out, and som e alterations made in otherparts
of the measure which, nevertheless, as we have seen,
obtained the favour of the House. Difficulties, we
have said, are anticipated in carrying out some of
its provisions, but as it has not yet become law
there is time for considering minor matters.

Considerable interest will attach itself to the re-
marks that the Premier made to the Manchester
deputation on the subject of Education. We be-
lieve that those interested in this important ques-
tion, and the public also, will appreciate the sense
and spirit which distinguished the observations of
the right hon. gentleman. After Mr. BRUCE and
Mr. FORSTER had stated their views, and declared
that they had no spirit of hostility to the Govern-
ment in bringing forward their bill, Mr. DISRAELI
observed that whatever might be the differences
which existed between the Government and the
members of the deputation on certain points, there
was, at least, one point on which they were all
fully agreed, and that was a sincere desire to carry
some measure which should extend and establish the
" general education of the people of this country."
e entirely coincide with the right hon. gentleman
in the opinion that this question of education must
not be made a party one, and the only way to render
any measure permanent and everywhere secure will
be to sink minor differences and eschew sectarian
differences, so that in a comprehensive spirit a
regular plan of national education may be carried
out in a manner worthy of the name. A great
variety of opinions must necessarily exist on this as
on other topics of paramount interest and import-
ance, but the Premier rightly estimates the
feeling of the country when he declares that
no tolerance will be given to those who seek to make
this subject a party one, and also in the expectation
he forms that the general sentiment of the public
will be in favour of those who sincerely seek to pass
a measure calculated to serve the end in view, that
of establishing upon a " permanent basis the gene-
ral education of the people."
As for the principles of Mr. BAINES'S Bill and the
views of the Educational Society they were, of
course, well known to Mr. DISRAELI some time
ago, but, no doubt, he was glad of the opportunity
of conferring with those who had laboured so
strenuously in the cause, and, to the best of
their ability, so far, to promote its success.
He:has followed their proceedings with interest,
that he declares to have been " great and unswerv-
ing," and the measure of the Government is now so
complete that anything urged by the deputation,
however able, would have been too late. We are
glad to find that the day is so near when we may
expect to have the Ministerial project put before
Parliament. The state of public business makes it
impossible to fix the exact time, but before ten days
have passed Mr. DISRAELI intimated that
it would be introduced. While it was evi-
dent, therefore, that the deputation had
not succeeded in their object, if that was to
change and influence the plans of the Government,
they must have been perfectly satisfied with the
remarks of the right hon. gentleman and the tone
he adopted in discussing the great question before
them. -" Expressions of opinion from men of emi-
nence and authority" are, as he said, " very benefi-
cial, especially to a Government, and there is great
advantage in hearing the arguments urgel person-
ally by the leading spirits who have given up their
minds to their consideration," While the Premier
was especially careful not to mislead the gentlemen
who waited upon him as to the effect their rerresen-
tions mighthave upon the Government, he declared at
the same time in the most earnest manner that
nothing could exceed the importance and interest
of the question, and that the Government would
direct their thoughts to it with the firm intention
of satisfying the country and meeting those
" wants which can no longer be denied, and which
must certainly be satisfied." No more than this
can be expected or deired, and we think that the
friends of education may be satisfied with the
result of their endeavours. Due credit must