Jews of Montreal Demand Separate Schools, in Talk with Provincial Premier

A delegation of Montreal Jews insisting on a separate school system for the Jewish children of this city, conferred with Provincial Premier Taschereau on Wednesday. The committee told the Premier that it represents the great majority of Montreal Jews, who are one hundred per cent in favor of the establishment of separate schools for Jewish children, just as there are separate schools for French Catholic and English Protestant children, in the Province of Quebec.

The Prime Minister, who received the delegation together with Hon. A. R. McMaster, Provincial Treasurer, pointed out the difficulties which the government faced in endeavoring to settle the problem, declaring that at another time he might receive another Jewish delegation, requesting that the Jews should continue with the present system. He further added that the delegation must consider the question of increased expenditures involved in the creation of Jewish separate schools. Michael Garber and H. M. Caiserman, members of the delegation, explained to the Premier, however, that 85 per cent of Montreal’s Jewish school children were even now being educated in nine schools, which were practically Jewish, citing the Baron Byng High School as an example.

Discussing the religious angle, Rabbi H. Cohen said that it was necessary to teach the Jewish child in a one hundred per cent Jewish atmosphere. Premier Taschereau indicated the desire of the government of Quebec to find a solution which would be acceptable to all Jews, but Rabbi Cohen believed that such unanimity could not be attained. Referring to the amendment of the Education Act, drafted by Peter Bercovitch and Joseph Cohen, according to which Montreal Jews would get representation on the Protestant School Board, Mr. Garber declared that the matter of separate schools for Jews was too important to depend upon the success or failure which might arise out of the negotiations with the existing school organizations.