CHURCH'S PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 272, 16 November 1937, Page 8

CHURCH'S PLAN.

MAKING CITIZENS.

TRAINING COURSE MOOTED.

QUESTION OF COMPULSION.

A recommendation that the Government should be asked to introduce a course of citizenship training was discussed to-day by the Presbyterian Assembly.

The scheme was brought forward by the committee on social relationship*, which set out the following desired features: That the scheme should cover the school period and be compulsory for all up to the school leaving age; that it should be continued in a voluntary way beyond thU stage; that room should be found in the scheme for voluntary organisations euch as the boy scouts, girl guides and boys' brigades, certified service in which would be regarded ae an equivalent of the regular State course; and that a large amount of freedom should be allowed in the development of the training course.

After some discussion the assembly decided to approve the recommendations and transmit them to the Government for consideration.

The Rev. J. T. Macky moved as an amendment that the recommendations should first be referred to the presbyteries.

Seconding the amendment, tbe Rev. J. Patereon urged avoidance of any tendency towards encroachment by the State on individual freedom.

The amendment was lost and the recommendations were adopted.