NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 9

NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

REBUFF BY AN EDUCATION BOARD

WRWREEE

OHRISTCHURCH,/9th September. An application from the National Peace Council for permission to address children in the schools and to form branches of the Peace League was refused by the Canterbury Education: Board at its meeting to-day. A deputation, headed by Mr;' C. R. M&ekie, the secretary of the council, waited on the board following upon a letter' in which the former body outlined its aims. The' board defined its attitude in the following resolution: —"That while the board is mindful of the untold blessings that would result from universal and stable peace, and is earnestly desirous that the endeavours of the League of Nations may bring sucV peace within a measurable distance, it cannot regard with approval or even equanimity the propaganda of a body that at a time of imminent peril merely took up an aJttitude of benevolent but nevertheless dangerous neutrality,'•which, had it been shared by the majority of the TJeotple would have spelt disaster to the British. Empire and deprived her citizen? of that freedom, which all uribiased persons recognise they enjoy under the present constitutional government; and that, therefore, the board <*m»t aoMcte to tne request preferred by the National Peace Council." Tbe Peaoe' Coiinoil, in He letter, stated that a Children's Peace League in New Zealand was being formed, and it asked for an assurance that no rmnecessary obstacle would be placed in the way of the, council's addressing ■ children and forming branches of the Peace League in schools, also expressing a hope that the council had the good-will of the board in approaching school committees and seeking their active co-aperaition .and' their consent to use school buildings.