LOYALTY OF STUDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 215, 9 September 1921, Page 7

LOYALTY OF STUDENTS.

INQUIRY AT WELLINGTON. PROCEEDINGS IN CAMERA. (By Telegraph.—'Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. An inquiry has been held at the Wellington Teachers' Training College into allegations made concerning the actions of a number of students in connection with the case of Miss Weitzel, who was convicted of selling seditious literature. After consultation with the students it was decided not to open the inquiry to the Press. A statement was sought to-night from Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the Wellington Education Board, who, with Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education, conducted the inquiry. Asked why the inquiry was held in camera, Mr. Forsyth said: "It was intended to held in the first place a strictly private inquiry, hut after that arrangement had been made between the Minister and myself, I was surprised to find that an ex parte statement of the case had been made to the Press. Prior to the opening of the inquiry I received a telegram from the Minister of Education, Hon. C. J. Parr, stating that as yet there were no definite charges formulated, and therefore no public inquiry was required. That might follow' later. A purely departmental inquiry should be held to enable each of the students concerned to be examined individually as to why sheaccompanied the accused to Court and showed sympathy with her. Also, as to whether the accused, as she alleged in Court, had discussed sociological questions with them, and as to the students' own sentiments respecting Communism. The president of the Students' Association had the position fully explained to him, and was asked to ascertain from the students concerned whether they desired the inquiry to be held in public or otherwise. After consultation they decided that provided a full report of the Investigation was supplied simultaneously to the Press and the Minister, they preferred it to be held in private. This was accordingly done.

'•The students," added Mr. Forsyth, "showed a commendable spirit in meeting the wish of the Minister for a private inquiry. We have not yet had time to draft a report of the inquiry, but it will be .published at the earliest possible moment with a view to setting the mind of the public at rest in regard to the matter.

"It is worthy of note that tliere is no more loyal institution in the Dominion than the Wellington Training College. This is 'borne out by the fact that in the war every eligible student and ex-student volunteered for service, and as the honours board records, some 24 students were either killed in action or died of wounds."