The Education Bill has been in Committee of the House
of Lords during the whole week. We have dealt elsewhere with the establishment of " Cowper-Templeism" as the essential groundwork of religious instruction in our schools. This is a great point gained; but we are not sure that the Peers were wise in the way in Which they protected Voluntary schools from being arbitrarily closed by the local authorities, though possibly some safeguard was needed. On Thursday the Peers showed their moderation and good Sense in not passing Lord Balfour of Burleigh's amendment allowing facilities for denominational teaching in all schools. In the abstract we are in favour of a system under which, while " Cowper-Templeism" should be the foundation, it could be supplemented where desired by the parents by denominational teaching, not only in the schools which were once Voluntary schools, but in all schools. We hold, however, that the Duke of Devonshire was, in the circumstances, quite right in asking Lord Balfour to withdraw his amendment. We take it that the Duke's position is that the business of the Lords is to make a reasonable compromise in regard to the Bill, and to avoid, wherever possible, collision with the Government on points which they consider absolutely vital to their measure.
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