New-York tribune., 1906-04-10
MAIN LIBERAL BILL UP.
SHARP DEBATE IN HOUSE.
ii Batter Struggle Promised OUer
Educational Measure.

london. April 9.--The Education bill. the main
measure the Liberal programme for the pres
snt session. was Introduced in the House OF
Commons flrs afternoon by Augustine Birrel,
president oe tie Board ot Bc1cation. and was
formally pasSsed on first reading
The 5i.icE7y of completely satisfying any sin
cle religious group and the impossibility of
<rcrling measure acceptable TO all the political
parties speedily became apparent as Mr. Birrell
u,ssoidsd his effort 10 arrange compromise AT
the OFFSET he recognized his difficulties by ref
ereEce L. the icy blasts OF sectarian tenets"
which prevented progress and peace.
Outlining the clauses OF the proposed bill, Mr..
B.rren said the ACT OF 1902 had thrown too
heavy q task upon the county and city councils,
nn5 therefore their autonomy would be restored.
IN the smaller only the schools provided by
She local education authorizes would ne recog-
rize6 acser January l. 1903 public elementary
schools. and not single penny OF public money
would he spent on any other schools The pres
eat voluntary schools conducted by different de-
.lo-niraa5jons if continued would receive govsrn-
.nent grants and would become provided schools
tschools provided by ;he authorities). and would
lave 10 80 satisfied with she same undeuonina-
f;9nal Religious teaching given in
otasr ,3-o-iGed schools. The local authorities
Nvo.IiJ RAE aozver 10 take the extstipg vol
Isnta~y school buildings by arrangement with
the r7onrie:ors and there woud be no religious
sest fe- teachers who would be appointed by
ta4 local authorities
Under the terms % the bill religious education
rlay &c given - hitherto unprovided schools. II
they re taken orer by the educational authori-
ties two 1no-rirsgs weekly. by consent OF the
local authorities. but not by the regular staff.
The attendance Of pupils shall not be compul-
sory and no part Of the expense shall be borne
by the rates
The bill provides for further annual grant Of
Sl0o0G0G rom the imperial exchequer for edu-
catioEal purposes. and proposes the establish
ment OF A national educational council for
Wales
The house was crowded Ambassador Reid
was in the Diplomatic Gallery. The Archbish-
ops Of Canterbury and York and Archbishop
Bourne Of Westminster. were among those pres
ent
Sir William Arson. Liberal. representing Ok
ford University, said that the bill was not based
a broad principle which made a settlement Of
the religious difficulty possible
James Ramsey Macdonald. Labor and Socialist
member, Speaking in behalf Of the Labor party
supported the bill. but said he would oppose any
attempt to teach "the skeleton of religion"
proposed.
George Wyndham, Conservative, formerly
Chief Secretary for ireland. opposed the bill on
the ground that the Church of England had Ger
tain claims which were thought reasonable and
ought to be taken into consideration by The gov
eminent.
Sir Alfred Thomas chairman OF the Welsh
Liberal Parliamentary party speaking in behalf
of Wales. supported the bill.
Lord Robert Cecil said the Church cared little
for the justice injustice OF taking its prop
erty, but did care about interference with the
religious teaching Of children. The bill provided
h hliehr of
proposal which was marked by a profound in
tolerance The measure was not only unjust but
unworka BILE, and if passed it must lead to the
secularizing of schools.
Mr.. Birren wound up the debate by saying
that the measure an honest attempt to deal
with difficult problem, and the bill was for
rnally passed on first reading