"Coming events cast their shadows before." On the 28th inst., the ratepayers of Rushden will be called upon to elect nine representatives on the School Board, and this week the contest is being foreshadowed by meetings of the various political and other organisations to select candidates and to prepare for the fight. At the time of writing, a contest seems inevitable, and possibly this is not to be greatly deplored, after all, for there are many advantages in a keenly - fought election. The Board at present consists of seven members, namely, Messrs. J. T. Colson (chairman), Z. Newell (vice-chairman), C. L. Bradfield, Paul Cave, Arthur Mantle, J. T. Reid, and B. Vorley. Mr. Newell will not seek re-election.

The following have been selected by the respective organizations for nomination:—

Four o'clock yesterday (Thursday) afternoon was the last moment for nominations. Withdrawals may be made up to next Monday at 4 p.m. The polling will take place on Monday week, by ballot, and the poll will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Every ratepayer whose name appears on the book containing the rate made on October 29th last, is entitled to vote at this election. As there are nine seats, each elector will have nine votes, and he may give the whole nine for one candidate, or may divide them amongst the candidates as he thinks fit.

The School Board Election at Rushden

To the Editor of the Echo

Dear Sir,—Once more the time for the School Board election has arrived, and it seems that a contest is inevitable owing to the number of candidates in the field. It does seem a pity that some arrangement cannot be made to avoid the expense of a contest, and also the ill-feeling to which a contest often gives rise. Surely it is possible to find nine gentlemen in the town who would carry out the letter and spirit of the Education Act without being influenced unduly by party politics. It cannot be denied that the old Board has done its duty fairly well notwithstanding the sparse attendance of some of its members. We have good schools, a good staff of teachers, and the attendance has been well kept up, while the grants that have been earned are a credit to the schools. It seems to me that the interests of the Liberal Association and the Labour unity on this question are identical, and they should run together if there must be a contest. Among the candidates there ought to be at least one or two who definitely represent the Nonconformists of the town. Such candidates need not introduce sectarianism in any shape or form, nor work in the interest of any particular church, but, considering the number and position of the Non-conforming churches, they certainly should be directly represented on the new Board. I have been told that the Liberal Association rigidly

from their list of candidates. Why is this? Surely the fact that a man is a minister ought not to disqualify him for being a member of the School Board. I do not claim that it is necessarily a qualification, but taking into consideration their knowledge of child-life and their the highest mental and moral welfare of the children, it seems to me that ministers of religion are often the very best candidates for such a position. When the educational proposals of the present Government were before the country two years ago, the ministers of our Nonconforming churches did much by pen and by voice to secure their rejection, and if I remember rightly, at the splendid meeting held in our own town the ministerial element was most prominent. If they were thus able to understand and speak with intelligence and force on the education question, surely they must be able to understand and apply the principles of the Education Act as members of the School Board. Is it not a little inconsistent for the Association to use the ministers, as it has done, in advocating Liberal principles, and in furtherance of Liberal interests, in our parliamentary elections, and HMO exclude them from such a position as the School Board solely because they are ministers?

I should be the first to denounce any attempt to introduce discussion on the subject of religion in our School Board meetings, but I do at the same time maintain that to disqualify a man being a member of the Board because he happens to be a minister is to violate the principles of freedom and justice, which as Liberals we hold dear. I hope that the Association will reconsider their attitude on this matter, and support the best men for this position irrespective of profession they follow or the trade they represent. In my estimation, high character, and intelligence and time, are the best qualifications for the position, whether found in ministers or others. Thanking you in anticipation for the insertion of this letter,