The debate was resumed on Tuesday. The Roman Catholic view
was stated with much force by Mr. Dillon, who declared that the Government had thrown away oppor- tunity after opportunity of effecting a settlement. Mr. Runciman, who followed, again stated that there had been no alteration in the Government policy ; but they were prepared to accept amendments provided they did not vitiate the main principles of public control, no tests for teachers, and the freeing of single-school districts from the domination of one sect. The parental-right theory was impracticable. Contracting out was open to objections, but it was the only expedient available to meet exceptional requirements. The Government desired to find a solution that would be fair to all sections of the Protestant Church, and make special pro- vision for the non-Protestant Churches. So far as the Non- conformists were concerned, persecution had passed away and given place to toleration ; and he contended that toleration should be succeeded by absolute equality. He appealed to Churchmen as well as Nonconformists to take a broad view, and promised that the sacrifice by the Church of some of her privileges was well worth making. We note that Mr. Runciman has been accused of showing a somewhat cold and uncon- ciliatory tone, but we trust and believe that this is an altogether mistaken view of his attitude, and that in reality he is anxious for a compromise which can be accepted by all parties.
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