326 EDUCATION 



" That County Councils should have the power to contribute 

 to institutions for technical education situated outside their 

 district.* 



" That all future assistance afforded by the Government to 

 technical education shall be as free from departmental restrictions 

 and regulations as that for the present year." 



In December, 1895, the Council considered the report of 

 the Royal Commission on Secondary Education, and in 

 February, 1896, passed a resolution urging that while such a 

 large proportion of the wealth of the country contributed 

 nothing to local taxation, it was inexpedient to grant further 

 powers for imposing additional burdens upon local rates, 

 in order to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal 

 Commission. 



In May, 1896, the Council considered an Education Bill 

 introduced by the Government, and objected to the alteration 

 of the time limit for the employment of children proposed 

 by the Bill. This Bill was read a second time, but was then 

 dropped. 



In the following December strong opposition was expressed 

 to the proposal of Sir John Gorst (Minister for Education) 

 to give rate aid to voluntary schools, as it would involve 

 further burdens which in rural districts would fall mainly 

 on agriculturists. It was urged that if any aid were given 

 it should come from the State, and not from the rates. 



In February, 1899, a resolution was carried objecting to 

 any extension of the regulations for compulsory attendance 

 at school, by which the sons of farm labourers might be 

 prevented in all cases from obtaining employment up to the 

 age of eleven, and in many cases up to thirteen years, unless 

 it were accompanied by some system of half time. 



The Education of Children Bill (known as the Robson Bill) 

 proposed to raise from eleven to twelve years the age at which 

 children might leave school. The Parliamentary Committee 

 of the Chamber opposed this Bill on the ground that a dis- 

 tinction should be drawn between rural districts and large 

 towns. As a result of this action, a provision was inserted 



* This resolution was soon afterwards given effect to by the passing 

 of the Technical Instruction Act, 1891. 



