IMPERIALISM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2482, 24 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIALISM.

ATTACK ON THE “SCHOOL

JOURNAL

Wellington, May 17.

The Little Englanders and anti-im-perialists are beginning to raise their diminished heads in unexpected quarters. The Dreadnought offer and the question of compulsory training gave them an opportunity to howl down certain speakers on the public platform, and now we have Mr D. McLaren M.P., of Wellington, complaining about the Imperialism of the “School Journal.” He lias written at length to the Minister for Education on the subject“On perusing the recently issued ‘School Journal,’ says the writer, “I observe that a form of Imperialism is being taught in our schools which is calculated to he to the detriment of the Democracy of New Zealand. If such teaching is continued generally, the lessons being taught, and the impression being stamped upon the minds of our young people, is that the upbuilding of the British Nation ami Empire has been due to the work of Royalty, uristrocacy, and the military class. The soldier is throughout being placed before and above the civilian, the young are being inspired to love the figure of a Marquis, Duke, Earl, or Lord, by carefully selecting the views of titled persons ami presenting these as being of special value, inasmuch as ‘the good’ or ‘great’ Lord So-and-bo has said it. As one who would grieve to see the free spirit of our colonial life and institutions destroyed, I am jealously indignant at any attempt made to inoculate our people with the virus of flunkeyism or priggishness, and as a father ami citizen, I particularly resent such an action as teaching our children sentiments and ideas which are likely to turn them out ‘good Tories,’ and nothing else. When in these journals referred to" Statesmen are mentioned in laudatory terms for their work as Empire-builders, the men invariably chosen are those whose politico 1 philosophy leant on the side of ‘war,’ and these are duly presented as examples for our young people to copy, whilst such men as John Bright, Gladstone, Codhen, J. S. Mill, ami the leaders of radical, social and economic reforms are kept well in the background. Mr McLarcn’s criticism, of course, is an unfair one ; he has evidently not studied tl|C “School Journal” as a whole. The Minister for .Education puts the case more fairly. He points out that the “School Joarnal’4“has to supply historical articles, and in doing so it cannot very well avoid referring to the men who have taken a leading part in the struggle for Empire, and naturally soldieis and sailors have had a certain amount of prominence in connection with outstanding episodes in British history. The last issue has probably called forth Mi McLaren’s criticism, and it has necessarily dealt more with Royalty and its kindred heroic side of national life on account of Empire Day falling during the mouth of May. The intention of the‘Journal is, of course, to bring vividly before the minds of the children the events of history, and what our national holidays stand for, but it would not be a fair thing to say that the soldier throughout is heiim placed before and above the civilian. The attention of the British Empire just now is focussed on defence, and New Zealand's Dreadnought offer very naturally brought in for treatment the question of the British Navy.” Mr Fowlds laughs at the idea that the “School Journal” is likely to infect the children with the views of flunkeyism and priggishness, or that it will give them an inordinate love for a lord.