The words just quoted indicate that if the round-table Conference
suggested by Mr. Hobhoase can be .brought into existence, the Archbishop would enter upon it with every desire for a peaceful solution. We believe that a similar spirit is to be found amongst the more moderate sections of the Liberal Party. We note, for instance, the leading .article in the Westminster Gazette of last Saturday. Dealing with our statement that though in_ our opinion it was not fair to lay the denominational teachers in Clause III. schools. under statutory disabilities, it would be better, to accept those disabilities temporarily than to wreak the whole measure, the Westminster declared that if that concession was made, a com- promise might be arranged on all other points. The Daily Chronicle on Tuesday dealt with the question in an equally conciliatory spirit, and suggested that the statutory dis- abilities in regard to religions instruction should not extend to existing teachers. It seems to us—but here we speak entirely for ourselves—that it would be well to come to a settlement on this point. The right secured to existing teachers will enable denominational religions instruction to be given efficiently in practically all Clause III. schools for the next few years. That is all that is essential, for we feel convinced that when the bitterness of the education con- troversy has subsided, Parliament will not refuse to relieve teachers from a disability which so unjustly and unnecessarily deprives them of a much-valued right. But though we hold that it would be wise to give way on this point, such giving way must, of course, be conditional upon the Government yielding to the just and reasonable demands of the Opposition on other points.
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