BIAS ALLEGED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 11

BIAS ALLEGED

TEACHERS' JOURNAL

PARTY POLITICAL VIEWS

Allegations that "National Education," the official journal of the New Zealand Educational Institute, had shown political bias, and bias in dealing with the Spanish situation, were made at the conference of the institute yesterday. It: was claimed in reply that instructions had been issued that the. journal's tone snould be liberal, and that it should take an independent line in all matters.

A remit proposed that "National Education" should have no political bias.

Mr. K. McLellan (Thames) referred to an editorial in "National Education" of November, 1938, in. which it was stated: "With these thoughts in mind, we extend to the Government warm congratulations upon its return to power." That statement, alone, was sufficient to make the remit essential.

The motion was seconded by Mrs M. C. Chisholm (Auckland).

Mr. G. H. Percy (Hawera) opposed the remit. Even, some of the bitterest opponents of the Government had extended congratulations to the Government on its return to office, he said.

Mr. R. Arbuckle (Matamata) said there had been cases where the journal had touched very sore points in international politics. "I refer to the Spanish question," he said.

Mr. M. Riske (Wellington) said the institue was a most intensely political body, and its hardest fights had always been political fights.

As finally approved, the remit read: "That 'National Education,' the official organ of the N.Z.E.1., should continue to have no party political bias."