Mr. Forster moved the second reading of his Education Act
Amendment Bill on Thursday night, in a speech in which he withdrew the most disputed provision, the handing-over of the power to pay the fees of poor children to the Boards of Guardians ; on the ground, first, that the Boards of Guardians object to these new duties ; and next, that the party of the Birmingham League, instead of being conciliated, regard the remedy as worse than the disease. He showed, however, very conclusively that it would be quite impossible really to work compulsion without the power to pay children's school fees at any approved school selected by the parents, and that the remission of fees at Board schools only would never do, since a great many children do not live near enough to Board schools to attend them, even if their parents had no conscientious objection. He insisted, how- ever, on the provision which makes Denison's Act compulsory, —that is, which compels Boards of Guardians when granting poor- relief to families to make the education of the children a condition of that relief, and to advance an additional allowance for that purpose, if needful. He also made a good point by showing that as far back as 1863 the chief members of the Birmingham League had earnestly demanded this change, which they now resist.
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