CANON GREEN AT WELLINGTON

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26524, 12 September 1951, Page 3

CANON GREEN AT WELLINGTON

APPROACH TO SCHOOLS

HEADMASTERS REPLY TO COMPLAINT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 11

School authorities in Wellington today explained why they had refused the Rector of Birmingham (Canon Bryan Green) permission to address pupils during school hours. They represented Wellington College, Rongotai College, and the Wellington Technical College. Canon Green had told a meeting in Wesley Church, Taranaki street, last night, that he had been refused permisison to speak at “one of the largest schools in Wellington.” He added that he had asked the headmaster why, and was told: “The boys must get on with their real job.” This attitude, he said, would ease the way for Communism if :t came. What was needed to-day was more men of God than of science.

The principals of two schools and the deputy-headmaster of another school who was acting-principal at the time, said to-night that they had refused Canon Green permission to speak during school hours because the times suggested had been inconvenient.

“So many requests have been made recently for students to listen to addresses or attend functions during school hours that we have had to refuse them all,” said the principal of Wellington College (Mr H. A. Heron). “If we gave permission for one address we would have to give permission for all, and this would not be convenient.”

Mr S. J. Lambourne, who was act-ing-headmaster of Rongotai College when permission was sought for Canon Green to address pupils, said that the college had refused permission because examinations were then being held in the school’s only assembly hall. Canon Green was granted permission to address pupils of the Wellington Technical College, said the principal (Mr E. G. Cousins). “We could not grant permission for an address during school hours, because it would have interfered with school work, but we agreed to let Canon Green have the school assembly hall during a lunch hour, so that pupils desiring to hear him could attend.” This was, apparently, not acceptable to Canon Green. The offer had not been taken up.