AN UNORTHODOX WITNESS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22371, 7 April 1938, Page 12

AN UNORTHODOX WITNESS

The Nature of Right Discussed

EVIDENCE TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE fTHE PRESS Special Servlce.l WELLINGTON, April 6. •Unusual, or at least unexpected evidence, including a dissertation on the nature of nj£ht, was submitted to the Education Committee of the House of Representatives to-day, when it was considering the Education Amendment Bill, by Mr T. T\ Simpson, a barrister and solicitor, of Wellington. Mr Simpson opened by saying that he had graduated LL.M. and had submitted a thesis on “The Nature of Right” for his Doctorate in Laws. Some of his points included; “Equity prevails over law, and we haven’t got equity at the present time.” “Experience teaches fools to learn from their own folly.” “It is wisdom we want in the organisation of anything; you have got to have intelligence at the top.” “Mind is greater than matter. Organisation relates to matter, and that is the trouble in our education to-day.” Mr Simpson said that the trouble was that in education there had to be wide vision and without that vision education was nothing. “Right is a principle of the British Constitution, and without that principle you will never get anywhere, and I will say this to the whole crowd of you,” he said. “Right is that which is 100 per cent, perfect. What we have got to have is that 100 per cent, principle in education. If adults haven’t got that, how are they going to impart it to children.” Mr Simpson next quoted the Latin tag: “Every man has his own opinion.” “Who is right?” he asked. “You may be all right or you may be all wrong.” The Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser); This is a committee to deal with this bill. Could you give us some suggestions about the bill? Mr Simpson: With pleasure. “Moral Instruction” He then proceeded to draw attention to the clause relating to moral instruction in the Education Act. “Gentlemen, here is the,position as I see it. That .vord ‘moral instruction’ is not carried out by the people of the Dom>aon. Laws are not obeyed. How do we expect children to do the right thing if their parents do not do the right thing? It simply amounts to this: That we arc shirking our obligations, and you won’t do that while I am here.” Mr Simpson was affirming that it was a man’s job to fight for women and children when the chairman of the committee, Mr C. L. Carr (Government, Timaru) interposed to say that if Mr Simpson were speaking in the House, Mr Speaker would bring him back to the bill. Mr Simpson: I am for equity, not law. Equity knows no limitations. I know the rules of the House impose limitations.

■Mr Carr said that a distinction had to be drawn between mandatory moral instruction and permissive religious instruction. “You are a wonderful arguer, Mr Chairman,” Mr Simpson replied. “Excuse me talking to you personally.” Mr Simpson closed by displaying a copy of his thesis and inviting members to read it.

Mr Carr; We hope you will have your thesis printed when you secure your Doctorate in Laws, and then we will all be able to read it.