THE WEITZEL CASE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 6

THE WEITZEL CASE

ANOTHER INQUIRY TO BE HELD COLLEGE AUTHORITIES TAKE ACTION QUESTIONS FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Tna conviction of Miss H. Weitzel, a graduate of Victoria College, on a charge of.circulating seditious literature was mentioned at a meeting of the College Council last night. It was decided that a special committee be set up to inquire into specific questions raised by the Director of Education in this connection. The council had before it the following letter from the Director of Education, dated August 29: — “I am directed to call tho attention of the Collego Council to the- fact that Miss H. AVeitzel was on tho 19th instant convicted for sidling literature encouraging violence. Tho Department is officially informed that she was accompanied by about ten or fifteen young women students of Victoria College. These showed great interest and sympathy with Miss AVeitzel, and after the proceedings, when a collection was taken up outside the court by a. leading Ccmmunist, some of these young women contributed to the collection with which the fine was paid. . "Miss AVeitzel lis described cs being thoroughly revolutionary, and she is apparently disseminating her views among Victoria College students. Seeing also that Miss AVeitzel was a prominent agent in dealing with literature at the Communist Hall, including that concerning which a conviction was made, it is more than likely that she has circulated it among the college students. The Department is gravely concerned at the apparent probability of the dissemination of revolutionary propaganda among tho young and impressionable students of the college. I am directed to ask that information be forwarded to the Department on the following "(1) A statement from the girl students referred to indicating whether their attendance at the court and the fact that they contributed towards the payment .of the fine were evidence of their approval and support of Miss AA eitzel in the offence with which she was charged. ... , "(2) Whether the students in general are aware of tho circulation of any of the literature referred to among students of tho college. "(3) AVhethcr there is reason to believe that during their attendance at AUctoria College influences of the type exerted by Miss AVeitzel are operating in relation to students. "(4) AVhethcr it ie considered by the council desirable that leading Socialists should be invited to take part in the debate at AHctoria University College each year on subjects which give them an unusually favourable opportunity of expressing extreme views, and sometimes views bordering on revolution, in the presence of the students of the college. “(5) AVhcther tho 'council exercises any supervision over the views expressed and the influence exerted on students through club; such as the ‘Heretics’ Club or tho ‘Free Discussion’ Club.’* The chairman (Mr. P. Levi) moved that a committee, consisting of the chairman of the council and tho Visitor of the College (the Minister of Education) should bo requested to inquire into the qu7bfiion.s raised by the Director of Education. Professor T. A. Hunter seconded the motion. Ho said the time for discussion would come later, but ho thought members of the council should be aware of tho fact that Miss AVeitzel was not a student of the college at the present time. She had finished her course at the college in November, 1920, and had become connected with tho Communists in April of this year. \ The”motion was carried without debate. The chairman also moved: "That this council regrets that the Minister of Education, prior to tho holding of the inquiry asked for, has thought proper to make a public statement through the Press which is very prejudicial to the renutation cf the college.” This motion was carried unanimously without discussion. The board, received a letter from the Students’ Association ( asking that ti e organisation should bo represented officially at any inquiry held by the council. The association approved of an inquiry being held.