Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-14

legislation to restore freedom OF action
70 the trade unions.
Labor has many questions which
they will ask Parliament to consider
ard II the labor members have their
way great part of the session will
be devoted to their bills.
The members trooped into the House
OF Commons shortly before O'Clock,
the time for the opening and when
that hour struck the whole House was
crowded, both floor and galleries. A
minute or two later Black Rod enter
ed and summoned the Commons to the
House Of Lords where the Parliament
was formally opened BY royal COM
mission. Only a few peers were pres
ent.
The lord chancellor then announced
that as soon as the members Of both
houses had been sworn His Majesty
would declare the cause CT his calling
of Parliament together, adding that
TT the outset the gentlemen Of the
House of Commons must appoint
some proper persons to be their
Speaker and present him the following
cay for His Majesty's approval. Up
on the withdrawal of the commoners
tae peers met to subscribe the oath.
In the meanwhile the Commons had
preceded to the election of Speaker.
The clerk OF the House, who is not per-
rIitted to speak. sOlemnly rose ana
Iointed his finger at Sir Wilfred Law
son. The latter. who has been a men,
tsr of the House longer than anyone
else. was evidently posted regarding
What was expected Of him, for address
ing the clerk, Sir Wilfred moved the
recollection Of James William Lowther.
In accordance with precedent there was
10 opposition. Mr.. Lowther was re-
elected unanimously.
The House then adjourned until to-
morrow.
Former Premier BalfOurs non-com-
initial speech at the banquet of the
Conservatives Of the city of London
list evening bas apparently satisfied
the Liberals as at a meeting of the
city of London Liberals Association to-
day it was decided not to oppose the
former premier's election for the city
pG London. Mr.. BalfOur is assured of a
xeat in Parliament.
The feet that the Liberals have
clear majority of So over all combina-
ticns between Unionists, Nationalist
Fad Laborites I'm the new Parliament,
has completely UPSET calculations as to
the course of events or probable leg
isIation during the session of Parlia-
Inent for which the members asSo M
bed Tuesday. Before the extent Of the
Eictory had been realized it was eX-
pectcd that the policy of the govern
IN iy,.y,1 4
re largely controlled by the Labor
party and to Il lesser extent by the Ma
toinalIsts. or by a combination of the
TWO. With Il clear ma jority of So be-
bind him Sir Henry Campbell Ranner-
T'ian can carry out the general Liberal
program without running much risk.
But there are questions on which the
party is not a unit and which will
cause the session TO be troubious if not
stormy One of the first and by no
means the easiest task of the new gov
eminent will be the tackling OF the Ed
ucatlon acts Of 1923, which have been
TIE causes of so many long debates
hoih In and out of Parliament. Those
Who are demanding amendments to the
ats claim that the mandate from the
electors is clever genuine popular con-
troll. No religious tests for teachers"
There are differences of opinion as to
Low the changes are to be carried out
nut on the principles they agree In de-
tll they ask for a great proportion of
tine cost of education to be a charge
G3on the imperial eXcheQuer: the train
ing of teachers to be more of an i'm
perial than local charge; the appoint
inent of teachers to be under local
control. but that no conditions Of en-
ployment shall include the compulsory
giving or receiving of AFOREMENTIONED
religious instruction: that parents have
the right to send their children to some
ether place than the school for the pur-
J ose of receiving specific denomna-
tional instruction at the hands of their
religious pastors: subject to this ele-
fnentary schools to be opened each
morning with a simply family reli-
gious service. In all this they expect
powerful resistance on the part of An
glfcans. with possible combina tons
against them among other denOmina-
lions. In any event q change in the ed
ucatton act is a pledge to which the
Liberal party in general and the pre-
'nier in particular are positively COM
United
That the act will be changed by a
large majority vote in the Commons
Enes without saying, but the difficulty
I" carrying out the pledge to the peo-
re comes when the amendments reach
the House of Lords.
The disestablishment of the Anglican
church in Wales IS another question
bound to be raised. on which the differ
Fnt denominations will clash, but it is
rather early to forecast the govern
;1rents intentions in respect to this.
Changes in the Irish policy leading 10
what the premier describes that lar
ger policy may be expected. Home
Eule is still far oft. though Irishmen
profess to have some hope as n result
# the introduction of strong Labor
i'arty. The Labor candidates were SUD-
ported by Irishmen as against Liberals,
ihey favorng an Irish Parliament.
with the support of but so Loborites
the Natonalists cannot hope TO attain
their ends but in addition to labor
inere exists in the present Parliament
Home Rule element inside the Liber-
al PARTY. Should Labor gain strength
and elect another 100 members at the
s.la NJ,