12 MAY 1906, Page 2

On Tuesday the chief speaker in the debate was Mr.

Lloyd-George. His speech, again, was a fighting speech, and, like Mr. Wyndham's, contributed little to a real settle- ment of the problem at issue. His defence, however, of the clause for the formation of the Welsh Education Council is worthy of attention. The criticisms passed upon it, he asserted, were due to misunderstan ding and misconception. No legislative power whatever was to be given to the Council and it was therefore grossly unfair to represent it as a kind of Home-rule. If guarantees were necessary to safeguard existing interests, they would be provided. We are glad to hear this assurance from Mr. Lloyd-George. If he can con- vince the minority in Wales that their interests will not suffer from the creation of a Welsh Council, and they will join with the majority in asking for such a Council, the objections to its being granted will be greatly mitigated. Sir William Anson, who was the chief speaker on the Opposition side, admitted that many Council syllabuses of religious instruction were sa4s- factory, but they could not be sure that all authorities would always be reasonable, and they knew that Dr. Clifford and other Nonconformist leaders held that Bible teaching should not go beyond Bible reading.