LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 68, 13 December 1932, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Teaching of Its Principles SUBJECT FOR THE SCHOOLS? An old subject of contentious opinion was introduced into the discussion of the Wellington School Committees and Education Federation last evening by an item on the order paper, “Navy League v. League of Nations.” Speaking in favour of a right of entry to the primary schools to promulgate the ideals of the League of Nations, Mr. L. J. McDonald said that evidently the Education Boardl approved the sentiments of the Navy League as opposed to those of the League of Nations by its action iu not giving support to the latter body. Mr. L. Hennessy said the League of Nations was the only hope of the world, and it was an excellent idea to teach the children what had been done in getting the nations together in amity and peace. Mr. C. Nicholls said that he had supported tlie Navy League’s right of entry to the schools. Mr. C. H. Pinnock did not favour the subject being introduced in the schools as the children already had enough to occupy their minds. “There should be uo misconception that the board is not sympathetic with the ideals of the League of Nations,” said Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the board. “Its main objects are admirable. All that one regrets is that the differences between nations are not being settled in the spirit of the League of Nations. All we did was to point out to the Masterton lady teachers that the subject was not suitable for primary schools, but was more fitted for inclusion in the syllabus of the secondary schools, where the scholars would hare a better grasp as to what the fundamentals of the League of Nations stood for.” Mr. McDonald moved: "That the Wellington School Committees and Education Federation regards as illogical the action of the Education Board in refusing the application of the League of Nations Union entry to the schools whilst granting the right of entry to the Navy League.” Mr. Nicholls expressed the view that such a motion was out of order, and several delegates stated that they had no mandate from their committees to vote upon it. Mr. C. 11. Pinnock moved as an amendment: “That the federation seeks to secure tlie opinion of the school edmmittees as to the advisability of securing from the Education Board permission to Introduce tlie teaching of the principles of the League of Nations." Mr. McDonald then withdrew his motion in favour of the amendment.