LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
[Correspondents ate requested to keep their letters as brief as is reasonably possible. The Mit suitable length is that of one of our " News of the Week " paragraphs. Signed letters are given a preference over those bearing a pseudonym.—Ed. THE SPECTATOR.] RELIGIOUS EDUCATION • [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Ybur talented correspondent "Janus," whose weekly observations we read with such pleasure, is, I think, un-
necessarily alarmed about the risk of a revival of the con- troversies which used to take place five-and-twenty years ago about public elementary education. I have no knowledge of the circumstances in the Diocese of Coventry to which he alludes in his notes in your issue of November 28rd, but I can assure you that a great deal of water has flowed under the bridges since the days to which he alludes. - This subject is now discussed between the representatives of the various parties concerned in an atmosphere wholly different from anything which would have been imagined as possible twenty .years ago.
A very interesting instance of this was the effort which Sir Charles Trevelyan made in the days of the last Labour Government to facilitate the progress of the Hadow Scheme of Reorganization by legislating for grants to Non-provided 'schools under certain specified conditions. He came very near success in this attempt, and though for various reasons which need not be recalled here it was not carried through, those who were engaged in the negotiations would, I am sure, agree that the atmosphere in which they were conducted was of a kind which a generation ago would have been regarded as wholly impossible of attainment.
A ffirther proof of this most welcome change of atmosphere
was afforded by the Conference held by the President of the Board of Education in November, 1933, and March last, on the provisiod of improved opportunities for teachers to equip themselves for giving religious instruction. The Report of this Conference begins with the following words : " The Conference based their deliberations on the assumption that the value and importance of the Religious Instruction or teaching in Scripture given in Public Elementary schools provided by the Local Education Authorities are now widely recognized."
The members of the Conference included representatives
of very many schools of religious thought, and a perusal of their Report (ILM. Stationery Office, price ld.), will show that this whole subject, formerly so controversial, has of late years assumed a wholly new complexion.
At its last session, the Church Assembly remitted to the
Central Council of Religious Education of the Church of England the consideration of Mr. H. A. L. Fisher's proposals, as incorporated in the Bill of 1921. These proposals, if carried into law, would modify so profoundly the present educational system of the country that it is certainly remark- able that the Church Assembly should thus request their fresh consideration by its Central Council.
. I may perhaps add that as Chairman of a County Education Committee I am not without personal acquaintance with this whole subject—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, The Brand, Loughborough. R. E. MARTIN.
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