SOVIET AND THE YOUNG

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 7

SOVIET AND THE YOUNG

BILL FOR SUPPRESSION OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS

LABOUR MEMBERS' OPPOSITION

(18011 OUR OWN COERBSPOKBSNI.) LONDON, 29th March.' Sir John Butcher, Conservative M.P. for York, has brought in a Bill in the House of Commons to prevent the teaching of seditious doctrines to the young. After considerable Labour opposition, tho Bill was read a first time. In introducing the measure, Sir John said its object was to prevent such teaching to children under the age of 16 years and the dissemination of seditious literature among those children. No teaching or literature would be interfered with unless it was seditious according to the common law of this country. The Bill in no way affected propaganda among adults. The teaching attacked was of the recognised Communist type, which aimed at destroying the existing constitution and order'of things by force, if necessary, and setting up in its place.revolution on the Russian model. For this purpose class hatred, a rebel spirit, and disaffection to the*Aing and the Constitution were taught; love of liberty and patriotism' were denounced—(Labour cries of. "No" and Ministerial cheers)—private' property was anathematised, and owners of propsrty were held up to execration as robbers and Judas Iscariots. Revolution on the Russian model was glorified, and, in the language of the promoters of this teaching and literature, "Russia i s the one bright spot." ■ AN INTENSIVE .CAMPAIGN, The movement was the outcome of the Third Congress of the Young Communist International, held in Berlin in November, 1921, which issued a manifesto to the proletarian youth of all nations, which was published in England and Scotland', and which advocated a reversal of the existing order of things, and, for that purpose, "the use of every instrument of revolutionary class warfare, including armed resistance." loung Communist Leagues had been established in Great Britain and many" other countries, schools had been opened, and much literature had been published and circulated for inculcating these doctrines. "The Young Communist," the organ of the movement in Great Britain, in its first number in November, 1921, announced "an intensive campaign to inspire the Communist rebel spirit in the poung people of our schools." It was impossible to get the exact number of such schools in Great Britain, but his information was that there were nearly one hundred. The reason given by tha promoters of this movement for inculcating these doctrines amongst the. youth' of the country was, in their own words, that ''boys and girls are not so afraid of any thing, of a revolutionary nature as grown-up people." That 'meant that these people were prepared and desired to trade on the inexperience and helplessness of the youth in order to poison their minds. (Cheers.) It was a bass act. Tha provisions of the Bill were exceedingly simple. Those who taught sedition to or published and disseminated seditious literature among children were guilty of an offence, and on summary conviction, were liable to a maximum fine of £50, or a maximum term of imprisonment of three months. The Bill created no new offence. The only change it effected was one of procedure, in that if provided that, instead of prosecution by indictment, these people might b« brought before a Magistrate, subject to an appeal. The purpose of the Bill was to protect the children. (Cheers, aad ironical Labour cheers.) The State had recognised its obligations to protect the bodies of the children; could it be maintained that it was not bound to protect their souls and minds from contamination in their early and impressionable years? ' (Cheers.) LABOUR MEMBERS' .'-'EYEWASH." Mr. B. Turner, in opposing the Bill, said it seemed to him that Sir J. Butcher had let his zeal outrun his charity, and. to some extent,. his judgment. There had been a considerable attempt to manufacture a case in connection with these Sunday schools—(cheers, and Ministerial cries of "No!")—and this was not at all in the interests of religion or of fair play as between Sunday school and Sunday school. This was a genera attack on what might be termed democratic Sunday schools—(Ministerial cries of " Oh.!")—as distinct from Sun-' day schools in connection with churches and chapels. He challenged criticism,, of the doctrines taught by the Sunday schools run on democratic lines. Here they were: "Love your schoolfellows,, vyho^ will be your fellow-workmen in We ; " Love learning, which is tha food of the mind"; "Be grateful to your teachers and. your- -parents "• Make every day holy by good and useful deeds and kindly actions " ; " Honour the good " ; "Be courteous to all." Another sentiment was: "Don't hate or speakevil of anyone." (Labour cheers.) He wished to God that sentiment was in the hearts of all people. (General cheers.) Others were, " Stand up for your rights; resist oppression " ; " Don't be cowardly." ; "Be a friend to the weak and! love justice " ; ." Remember that the goodthing's of the earth are produced by labour—(Unionist laughter and Labour cheera)—whoever enjoys them without working for them is stealing the bread of the workers."' (Unionist laughter and Labour cheers.) They did not exclude from that doctrine workers by brain or by hand. Every person who gave service was a worker. (Laughter and cheers.) Other.doctrine? taught at the Sunday . schools -were: "Observe and think"; "Don't believe what is contrary to reason" (general cheers); ' Don't believe that those who love their own country must hate and deepise other nations "; " War it. a remnant of barbarism"; " Look forward' to the day when all men and women will be free citizens of one Fatherland and live together as brother* and siiters in. peace and righteousneis." He asked, was that ««ditious teaching? (Unionist cries of " Eyewash " and " It has nothing to do with Communist doctrines.") The object of the Socialist Sunday schools was: "To form a new society, with justice as its foundation and love as its law." (Cheers and laughter.) Leave was given to bring in the Bffl, and it was presented by Sir J. Butcher^ amid Unionist cheers.