Sir Michael also declared against the absurd notion that the
general principles of Mr. Forster's Education Act, as regards Board-schools and voluntary schools, were to be in any way -revolutionised, but pledged the Government "to consider very -carefully the position of the voluntary schools, and to take measures which are sound and reasonable to ensure that these schools shall be maintained as a most important part of the 'elementary system of education in the country." As regards agricultural distress, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach evidently thought that the relief which might be given could only be " palliatives" at best, and could not go to the root of the dis- tress ; but he quite scouted the idea of any measure for "artificially raising the price of agricultural produce," which he thought about as likely as a measure for "providing the -country with better seasons than it has recently enjoyed," .and not at all more likely. We trust that this declaration will drive out of the poor farmers' minds the possibility of any return to protective duties. When a Salisbury Govern- ment speaks in this way, we may regard the policy of the 'country as pretty well formulated for a century to come on uthe side of Free-trade.
Previous page
