A beginner's feature in a recent Improve Your Coarse Fishing states that rear drag reels are more convenient as they have quick-release spools. The tension nuts on my new front drag reels have to be unscrewed when changing spools, whereas my old Mitchell 300A (front drag) has quick-release spools. Is there a technical reason for this? Or is reel design going backwards in some respects?

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if the drag is set properly then it doesent matter how it operates ,i like mine very slightly looser then i can apply more pressure with my finger if needed but that proberly comes from using reels with crap drags.
it proberly saved a few pence not having a quick release spool so in the tight budgets of manufactureres its left out .
theres always been strange things with reels and spools ,i have a 1954 intrepid with a quick release spool that adjusts from the front but all the rest for years had non quick release ,abu's had rear drag adjustment but quick release and as you mention mitchell has over the years had quick release with front or back adjustment :confused:
havent a reason why, maybe a bad handout to shareholders decides

There are quite a few front drag reels with quick release spools. However, I don't think this convenience is so important that it's a major issue in deciding what to buy as IYCF suggested.

As you probably know, front drag reels generally have a better clutch system as the surface area of the drag is greater. On the other hand many find rear drag reels are easier to adjust when playing a fish. And of course many anglers tighten the drag right up and backwind.......

Abu have some centre drag models that perhaps have the best of both worlds, but have yet to catch on.