NAVY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 11

NAVY LEAGUE.

SCHOOL PROPAGANDA.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

SOUTHERN CONTROVERSY.

The novel experience of being called "boys and girls" was enjoyed by members of the Wellington School Committees' and Educational Federation, when Mr. R. Darroch, secretary of the Wellington branch of the Navy League, gave a specimen lecture of the kind lie is accustomed to deliver before school pupils on the objects of the league. The address was given at his suggestion following a controversy which has raged round the class of "propaganda" he has been disseminating in the schools. " For the purpose of my lecture," said Mr. Darroch, " 1 will assume that you are typical secondary school pupils." He began with, " Now, boys and girls, . . ." and punctuated his remarks here and there with the same mode of address. Finally lie said, "And now in my lecture to this class 1 hope I have removed some of the misconceptions about the work of the Navy League." Although the majority of his listeners expressed satisfaction with the substance of Mr. Darroeh's "specimen lecture," some were keenly critical at question time (says the " Dominion.") One speaker said the question was political and therefore contrary to the objects of the federation. Guarantee of Peace.In his address Mr. Darroch emphasised the need for the strengthening of England's navy as a guarantee of world peace and to police and protect the 85,000 miles of Empire trade routes. By coloured posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board which he exhibits :n schools he pointed the moral of buying within the Empire. One of the best answers lie had received from a child on the question why New Zealand should buy from the Mother Country had been given by a Chinese boy, who had made answer, "Because she buys from us." The chairman, Mr. F. H. Porter, said that some of the federation's members were of the opinion that the work of the League of Nations was of more importance than that of the Navy League. Moreover, they objected that the former body had been discriminated against by the Education Board in favour of the Navy League. The air had been cleared to some extent by Mr. Darroeh's address.

In general observations prefacing his specimen lecture, Mr. Darroeh said it was only since the war that the question of allowing the Navy League to enter the schools had cropped up. He was much concerned, ho said, with a published statement by the federation to the effect that, the league was exploiting school children by taking shillings from them when its balance-shcet showed a credit of £800. "We flo not like the children, to get their shilling membership subscriptions from their parents," said Mr. Darroeh. "We want them to find their own shillings by earning them or saving from- their pocket money, because we feel that they appreciate membership of the league to a greater degree if they have to make some personal sacrifice to join." The league, he mentioned, had a schools membership last year of only about 1000, because the league felt it was inadvisable to ask children to contribute a shilling in difficult times. "Both Striving for Peace." Mr. Darroeh said he had not visited Wellington primary schools this year, with the exception of Brooklyn School, because he was aware that the entry of the league to the schools had become a contentious question. "We of the league have no secrets and we have nothing to hide," lie said. "Exploitation of the children is not one of the league's objects." As for the League of Nations Union, a representative of which had been refused permission to address scholars in school time, the Navy League had had no argument with the League of Nations at till. The Navy League believed in the League of Nations. Both were organisations striving for peace. There was really no conflict between the two. There was no desire on the | part of the Navy League to exclude the League of Nations Union from the schools. It was a matter for the Education Board. As far as he understood it, the reason" for the exclusion of the League of Nations frojji the schools was Secause its objects formed part of the curriculum of every school.

Another point raised by the Educational Federation, Mr. Darroeh proceeded, was the alleged association of armament firms jvith the Navy League. He had communicated with the league's headquarters in London following a statement on those lines, and had asked for the names of armament manufacturers who were eaid to be on the league's executive. As far as he personally knew, 110 such firms were represented on the league. He was not authorised to speak even on behalf of the executive of the Wellington branch on the point, because it had never been discussed. His own view was that armaments, should bo controlled by the State. He had never heard of a donation being given the funds of the league by a firm of armament makers. "The ■ Navy League," said Mr. Darroeh, "is quite oblivious to the influence of armament manufacturers. The last thing we think of is the exploitation of the people by armament firms." Questions By Audience. Did he think that a strong navy was a guarantee that England would not be conquered, in view of what had happened to Germany with her powerful navy, was a question put to Mr. Darroeh. In reply he said, "That is exactly what we want to prevent. After the battle of Trafalgar 109 years of peace was enjoyed. We want another 109 years." Mr. L. J. McDonald asked whether Mr. Darroeh had considered the psychological effect of a doctrine of fear upon school children. Mr. Darroch's lecture, lie said, was "nothing less than a tirade of fear." In answer Mr. Darroeh said lie had studied fear complexes as a schoolmaster. But self-preservation was a first instinct. The league wished to impress on the child mind that if the Empire did hot protect itself there would be trouble." i "I certainly think you are stimulating fear in the children," said Mr. j McDonald. "I don't agree with that." • Another member said he had four children, all of whom had heard Mr. Darroch's lecture. None of them had I c6me home with fear in their hearts. The secretary, Mr. N. i. Ingram, said 'lie could see no objection to the form of Mr. Darroch's lecture. But he could not understand why the League of Nations should be excluded from giving the other side. "It is a question whether it would not be.advisable to close the primary J schools to all propaganda," ho added.