'The plan which is now foreshadowed by the Government is that of bringing in two Bills next session—one to grant' more public money to the voluntary schools, and the other to introduce other chang into our educational system. The object of this division is to enable the first Bill to during the-current financial year, so that the schools-may not be disappointed of the additional grant which they hoped to get this year. But there isa very shrew suspicion in many people's minds that when once the first Bill is passed nothing more will ever be heard of the second. The only object of the second Bill would be to upset the School Board system, and so many Conservatives approve of that system that the Government, strong as they are, have already found that they cannot safely undertake its overthrow. The Government have unquestionably lost credit by the mismanagement which has allowed a weak and divided minority to practically defeat the principal measure of the Session; but they have plenty of time to retrieve their disgrace. Mr: Balfour evidently felt his position acutely. Though he naturally tried to throw the blame principally on the Opposition, he confessed to some share of the blame, and there was 'a tell-tale break in his voice when he said if one Leader of the House had. failed another could be found to take his place. The loud cries of "'No, no " which resounded from all parts ofthe House, were, however, a remarkable tribute to his personal popularity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.