Salford To Take Action

Mass Brigade And Rally To Oppose Education Bill
The Bishop's Plan
Following upon the Lenten pastoral letter of the Bishop of Salford, Mgr. T. Henshaw, in which he defines most clearly the position of Catholics in regard to the new education bill, his Lordship has now gone a step further and is preparing to start a mass campaign and rally throughout the diocese, calling upon the faithful to take immediate and strong action against the bill.
The Catholic Herald is able to give the following exclusive news on the matter.
On Tuesday, which was deanery day in the diocese, a letter was read from the bishop pointing out his proposed line of action. His Lordship first suggests that meetings be held in every parish in the diocese so that the parish-priests may clearly propound to the laity how the bill affects the Catholic schools, teachers, and children. He then suggests that area meetings be held on a larger basis, taking in a number of parishes, and at which the bishop himself will endeavour to speak. Finally he proposes to hold a mass brigade and rally of Catholics in the diocese in a few weeks time, the probable venue being the Manchester Free Trade Hall, when his Lordship and other education authorities will address the gathering.
The Archbishop of Westminster and other members of the hierarchy have already voiced their protests against the bill, which, in the opinion of the Bishop of Shrewsbury, " is no use to us as it stands at present." The Salford diocese, which it is interesting to note is the second largest diocese in England in poirt of population, is now about to become the pioneer in regard to taking action in the matter.
Postcards to M.P.s
Already in several parishes action has been taken by the sending of individual postcards to the local M.P.s demanding that he (or she) should carry out the promises made to the Catholics prior to the election.
Mgr. Henshaw clearly summarises the position in his pastoral leiter in the following grievances and demands.
"In preparation for the necessary enlarging of school premises managers of voluntary schools are piveri not more than two years to mak, . arrangements for enlarging premise!: or building new senior schools. At the expiration of that time no grants are to IX allowed.
Blind Alley
" From then onwards all the burden of providing school-buildings will fall as before entirely on the promoters of voluntary schools.
.. The education authorities are PERMUTED, NOT OBLIGED, tO make grants, of not less than 50 per cent. and not more than 75 per cent.
" This may work out satisfactorily perhaps in those places where local authorities are not antagonistic, but what help is to be expected in those areas where the authorities are not well disposed?"
Another grievance is that in return for monetary grants the appointment of Catholic teachers is to be taken away from the managers of voluntary schools for ever. A further grave threat to the integrity of Catholic schools is foreseen in Regulations 11 and 12.
Like It or Leave It
In this respect his Lordship points out " that the parent who favours council school religion has the right of entry into schools built with private money. The Catholic or Anglican parent who desires definite religion to be taught to his children, and is obliged to send them to a council school which he helps to build and maintain, has only the right of exit."
On the other hand the bishop says: "We maintain that if it is the intention of the government to enable by this bill the non-provided schools to continue to foPna part -6. the national system (1) building grants should come from the exchequer as they do to local education authorities; (2) they should not be made depsndent on the friendly or hostile attitude of the local education authority; and (3) they should not be made ineffective by the imposition of conditions which are not consonant with the letter and the spirit of previous education acts from 1902 onwards."