Another semi-political sensation has been caused by the refusal of East Ham to carry out, the EducationfActs. Their resolve has nothing to do with the religious question, and it is not a party move, for it is supported by Liberals and Conservatives alike. But the recent Acts have seriously diminished the relief which used to be given from the Imperial Exchequer to necessitous districts, East Ham has a school rate of nearly three shillings in the pound, which is more than double that of almost any other place, and tem times as much as that of some places. East Ham contends that education should be a national, and not a local concern, and that the cost should there all over the country. But it is question, and it is very know how the Government should or will deal with the present crisis. In law they ought to appoint a local education authority of their own nominees to supersede the revolting elected authority; but they can hardly do this without giving some definite promise to amend an admitted grievance. Of course East Ham has largely itself to blame. It is really @ part of London. Its great employers of labour live in London, or somewhere outside East Ham. It is a great new community, mainly composed of working classes; there' are few rich people to pay rates, and practically no educational or other endowments. It. ought to have joined London, when the education rate and some other charges would have boon equalised with those London, But in its pride it would have an independent municipality, and conse quently it is about the most heavily ratisd community in the whole of England.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.