19 MAY 1906, Page 13

[TO TIM EDITOR OP Tile "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—Will you allow me

to call attention to a section in the Education Bill which is apt to be overlooked amidst the dis- cussions on the religious question, which, vital though it is, has in the past rarely caused any difficulty in the schools themselves, and could, I believe, be settled for the future if only the duty was thrown upon the local authorities to make provision for such religious teaching as the parents desire ? The clause I refer to (XXVI.) practically compels the County Councils, if so required, to delegate to the Council of any borough and of any urban or rural district or parish any of their powers or duties of management other than the engage- ment, dismissal, and salaries of teachers. Those who know the history of many of the smaller country School Boards will realise how inimical this must be to the best interests of education. At the present moment the County Councils can not only see that the schools are properly staffed, but they can insist that the schools are well furnished, lighted, heated, and ventilated, and kept in a sanitary condition, as well as that all reasonable alterations and improvements are made, while by a uniform system of by-laws strictly enforced the attendance of the children can be secured. Should this clause be passed as it stands (and with the probability of closure-by compartments becoming necessary this is more than likely), all this will be endangered, and we shall go back in many of our country districts to the former unsatisfactory conditions which we have been struggling since 1902 to remove.—I am, Sir, &c., W. CAMERON GULL.

Prilsham House, Yattendon.