MILITARY TRAINING IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 9

MILITARY TRAINING IN SCHOOLS

League Conference Views

ALTERNATIVE PROVISION URGED

The recent action of Wesley College (Paerata, Auckland) and other colleges in providing an alternative to military training in schools was the subject of discussion at the annual conference of the New Zealand League of Nations Union in Wellington yesterday, an early conflict of views being apparent.

The Auckland branch submitted the following remit: “That, as it believes that widespread military training of the youth is not conducive to the development of the League of Nations and the practice of co-operation as the normal relations between nations, the conference congratulates Wesley College on its action with regard to military training and urges that other schools provide similar alternatives.” Moving the adoption of the remit, an Auckland delegate said an alternative to military training would make the position of minorities in schools much easier. This would give discipline and drill and leave out the more warlike elements in military training. It seemed to her important not to allow any war spirit to permeate the young people.

A further remit on similar lines was also discussed: “That the Dominion Council ask the branches to consider the question of military training in secondary schools with a view to formulating a League of Nations Union policy.” The Dominion president, Rev. F. H. Wilkinson, suggested that in place of the two remits the following resolution be adopted: “That the Dominion council ask the branches to reconsider national emergency services in schools in lieu of military service.” A Wellington delegate said the socalled military training in the schools did not do a great deal of harm. The home influence counteracted that sort of training. Miss E. G. Middleton (Otago) said the youth movement in Otago felt that some alternative simply must be provided. Mr. 0. McKenzie (Pahiatua) said there were quite a number of schools in addition to Wesley College which had taken the matter into their own hands, abolished military drill and substituted physical drill. He suggested they write to the various schools’ associations urging the desirability of abolishing military drill,

It was essential in a world like the present that New Zealand should be prepared to defend her own soil, another speaker said. The Rev. J. A. Allan (Christchurch) suggested that the remits be referred to branches. It did not say much for discipline if the schools hud to call in the sergeant-major. Mr. W. B. Matheson (Wellington) said the union was not a society for tlie promotion of peace at any price, but through a world judicial court.

Mr. W. J. Scott (Timaru) said i£ they were going to be consistent they would have to urge the abolition of all defence forces. It was decided to refer the question to branches for further consideration next. year.