ESSAYS ON TEMPERANCE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2206, 20 July 1914, Page 5

ESSAYS ON TEMPERANCE

. :— ——4— — HEADMASTERS' ASSOCIATION'S VIEWS. A competition iri writing essays on the subject of temperance was recently promoted in the Wellington schools by the •W.C.T.U., and on, [Saturday morning, at the annual meeting of the Headmasters' Association, the pVinciple of such competitions was discussed. Mr. J! B. Hopkirk moved: "That this, association disagrees.with the suggested essay competition amongst the children of the' schools on the subject of temperance." Mr. H. A. Parkinson opposed the motion. Temperance instruction was ■part of the ordinary.school work, and it was a frequent practico for outside prizes to be given for work of various kinds. It was an important subject; and the proposal was not an advertising schem-o like some that had been mot with;, it'was connected with-a serious endeavour to forward-the good of the people. ~.„'■•.-'.' This view was supported by Mr. F. Blake, who said that 'it was a matter which might well be left to the individual decision of the teachers. The offer was, he considered, a. kindly act ■by- the Temperance!: Union. ':Some teachers had already committed themselves. .....'. .;"..■'•. Mrl W. H. Foster said he.would not like it to go forth-that the headmasters were opposed to temperance or .■ the teaching of it. But. he felt, without doubting the bona fides of the union, that this was a case.of exploitation of the public schools for propagandist purposes. It'might well be left to the teachers; but ho did not think the association as a body should commit itself. Mr. Hopkirk said the principle ho wanted to lay down was that if there was to be an examination in temperance work, it should be done by the teachers or by the inspectors. ; ■~■ ; The motion was carried.