TEMPERANCE TEACHING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 53, 6 March 1929, Page 6

TEMPERANCE TEACHING

YOUTH WORK

CONFERENCE CONTINUED

The afternoon session of the Youth Work Conference was opened by tbu Minister of Uealth (the Hon. A. J. Stall worthy),, who expressed his pleasure at being present.

He said they took the very keenest interest in everything relating to the young life of the Dominion, and was particularly sympathetic to the work the conference had in view, namely, the education of youth in regard to the evils of, alcoholism. He was not one of those who decried the youth of to-day, either in this Dominion or elsewhere. Ho was sure that, although some of the young people might be misled at the present time on important matters, there was a splendid response waiting in the hearts of bur youth to the right appoal for good citizenship. It was not merely a question of warning against alcohol because it was a poison. We ought to aim to inculcate the idea that our bodies are temples of the spirit, and nothing should, be put into them and Mo use made of them that was at variance with tht Diviue purpose. He had spoken to many thousands of children and young people, aiid although he had no claim to possessing any special capacity in presenting his subject, he had found it possible to rivet their attention and instil into their minds lofty ideals in regard to their conduct in life. His .persona) experience was that there was nothing that so effectually taught us what should be done as getting out individually and trying to do it. We were building in this Dominion boys and girls who would be not only citizens of the Dominion but would take their share in the larger universal life, and it was our privilege and responsibility to work for the advance of mankind by seeing to it that our educative efforts resulted in the formation of high character. He thanked the gathering for affording him the opportunity; of being present and wished them success in their deliberations. .

A. very hearty vote of thanks was carried with acclamation. "

Dr. Ada Paterson (Director of School Hygiene) spoke on the subject of the "Medical Aspects of Temperance Teaching." She said that she really wanted to say something about temperance teaching in the schools. In some cases, in America, it seemed to her too much stress was placed on' the pathological aspect. Children, and more especially very young children, needed to bo taught temperance in all things. They should bo led instinctively to love the good, and temperance teaching in, regard to alcohol ought to come in just as part of the general programme. Boys and girls should receive appropriate instruction as part of their edu^ cation on health. Her own opinion was that concrete teaching in regard to alcohol might begin about Standard 2 or 3 in connection with education regarding foods and drinks. Standards 5 and 6 could carry on with the same idea suitably advanced. The teaching, should be based on the' ground that to-day consideration for others, good workmanship, and the increased necessity for people with steady nerves called for the avoidance of habits militating against these things. She stressed tho need for the formation of good habits generally as being the thing fundamentally necessary. Interesting discussion followed, and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded the speaker. In dealing with MThe Art of Teaching" Mr. G. R.'Kidtson'said that after many years of careful study he had come to tha conclusion that the most important function of the teacher was the upbuilding of agood, clean, healthy moral tone. Tho teaching of temperance was one' phase of the teacher's work in the/development of character. He thought it unwise to rely too much upon' the direct teaching of one seer tional body of knowledge,.for instance that in regard to; alcohol. In teaching one' had to depend'on the broad issue for development and to seek,to estabr lish a set of habits which would make for good citizenship. It was true of children, and also of adults, that intense emotions rather than reason de-' termined the attitude to given conditions. Therefore, sentiment and emotion must be behind the teaching if it was to be effective. Whilst the teaching of the facts about alcohol might undoubtedly be helpful, taken by themselves alone, they would not achieve the object in view. It was essential to develop in the child definite sentiments and dispositions which would lead it afterwards to act. in the direcr. tion of the good of the community. It came down to the bedrock of building character. Instinct was the raw material that the'teacher had to work on. Instincts did not all develop at the same time, neither were they present in individuals in the same way. It was the teacher's task'to work upon this raw material so that the future citizen would in all circumstances react iv right directions and resist the temptation to the contrary. The success of teaching temperance was simply one part of teaching moral truths. Mr. Kidson's address was greatly apt predated by tho gathering, which carried a vote of thanks with acclamation.