A STRONG STAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 43, 19 August 1941, Page 11

A STRONG STAND

CHILDREN'S FUTURE FIRST

WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD

(P.A.)

WANGANUI, August 18

The Wanganui Education Board decided today to dismiss from its service any teacher known to be objecting to performing duty under the ■ National Service Regulations. No action under this resolution will be taken till regulations governing conscientious objectors are gazetted, presumably this week.

"We must take a firm stand in the matter," said Mr. W. G. Black, Palmerston North, "and dismiss from the service a teacher who refuses to help his country in time of need—that is, once he is known to be such a person."

Mr. J. C. Batt. Wanganui: The conscientious objector is not the only one who dodges military service. A lot of them are Christians. One is serving time in gaol today because he had the courage of his convictions.

"The question we have to ask ourselves is, would it be right for everybody to be a conscientious objector?" said Mr. E. F. Hemingway, Patea, chairman of the board. "Should we allow any man the right to put our children under the heel of the Hun?"

Mr. N. Annabell, Wanganui: We don't want more wars. Hand the conscientious objectors over to the soldiers. Let them deal with them.

Mr. Batt held that that would mean inflicting the same cruelties as were experienced. in the last war.