A remarkable feature of the education controversy is to be
found in the letter from Mr. Hirst Hollowell published in Wednesday's Times. Mr. Hirst Hollowell, who is a Noncon- formist clergyman and a Liberal politician well known in the North of England, denounces Clause IV., which, he declares, repeals the principles of the Bill, and reduces the proposed settlement to a farce. The ratepayers and taxpayers, he asserts, will have to pay for absolutely sectarian institutions more money than Mr. Balfour ever asked them to pay. The clause as it stands will drive Nonconformists to continued " passive resistance." Though the Irish Members did not vote for the second reading of the Bill, their action was only a piece of strategy. "Why are the views of Nonconformists who returned the Government treated as not calling for a moment's consideration, while the demands of those who as a rule voted against the Liberals are studiously encouraged ? " Clause IV., concludes Mr. Hirst Hollowell, " breaks almost every promise made at the Election to the Liberals and Free Churches of England, and if it is imposed upon those Churches, either in its present or in an aggravated shape, those who force it upon their countrymen will have abundant reason to regret their folly." Mr. Hirst Hollowell is evidently determined to show that the Anglican extremists have no monopoly of exaggerated and excitable language.
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