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The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1919.

It it not altogether necessary, after all for the Extreme Labor

- Labor Second V in Australia.

Party of Kew Zealand to send a manifesto Of,

sympathy to Mr T. J. -I.* Ryan, the ex-Premier of Queensland, Who ‘ fled from the scene of his political pro- £. ;fligacy to break a lance against Mr W. M. Hughes, the “ Little Digger/’ in the ; tournament for Australian leadership. Mr •. Ryan is not to gain the position of Prime Minister just yet, hut his gains are cerp.. tainly consoling. He has at least, judging by latest reports, ■won the safe West / Sydney seat, which any alien almost, if ' he stood for Extreme Labor, could have secured, and ho has got a farthing dam- - ages out of his lawsuit against the vigorous ■ , 'Argus/ All circumstances considered, :} .Mr Ryan has done very well, though the ' great march towards “ideal Socialism in our time” has bean arrested. The complete returns in respect to the Federal elections will not be available for 'I" some time yet, the new system of prefer* |j .-ential' voting having increased the task |@p£- ■gnumexatprs and scrutineers. But C- * '

as far as definite results can be taken as a. sure guide, it is clear that Extreme Labor must continue to take second place, which is its proper place as long as the forces of Labor are dominated by irresponsible agitators whose creed is alien in character and spirit. Last night’s count gives tho Nationalists 53 seats, 98 to Labor, and 14 to the Farmers’ Party. It is reported that as the coupling of the votes goes forward it becomes more apparent that the Farmers’ representatives will hold the balance of power. Tile prospect is not disturbing. It is perfectly true that the Farmers’ representatives do not love the Huglm-Cook combination, but it is also quite true that they love the Labor Party less. So the political position in respect to Federal government in Australia is exactly the opposite to what would prevail here if Extreme Labor held the balance of power in the main legislative chamber. The Nationalists will have the support of the Australian Farmers’ representatives on all questions of vital interest to the nation arid Empire, although they may continue to differ in matters affecting Taxation and Protection. The Federal Parliament will stand for unconditional loyalty to the Empire’s Flag. The “Little may be trusted to attend satisfactorily to domestic affairs. It is not surprising that the Referenda on the question of altering the Constitution m order to extend the legislative powers of the Commonwealth Government for the purpose of controlling monopolies are practically certain to decide upon leaving constitutional things as they are. ihe aim was right, but the results* were uncertain. The Commonwealth Constitution has many of the defects common to such charters; hut if it stands in the way r f ™ alun S a clean sweep of profiteering, it also stands in the way of wild schemes of nationalisation and socialisation of everything under tho sun. And, as the Argus’ tersely put it, “the fool of a Constitution” (as the Mikado would sav) takes special precautions to prevent itseU being treated in the German style as ‘a scrap of paper.’” Then most people in British communities are rather chary of tampering with their country's Constitution. It i 5 absurd^of course,.to be conservative about alteration, for no thing really ls fixed and unassailable, however admirable any thing may -be; but it is better always to err, if there be err at a > on the side of caution. Once you begin tearing and trampling it is easy to go headlong into administrative chaos. Tho majority of the people of Australia evidently desire steadiness of government. They have rejected “the fearless, mid determined Ryan policy ot nationalisation and socialisation.” Ihe supreme need everywhere is steady and nonest government in the best inter--6S s ° ! a P ilrt; i G;i in the Commonwealth.

The Teachers’ Court of Appeal, consisting

Mr Phillips’s Appeal.

of Messrs H. Y. Wicfdowson, S.M. (president), P. Calvert (re-

S-h„. Bond o, eJSSVj. (nominated by the Secondary Schools’ AssocinUop), have ordered that .Mr Wm. L. hilhps, physical instructor at the Ota* o ; High Schools,< who was recently served with notice ot dismissal, shall be reinstated in his position. This decision is we feel sure, only what was expected by every fair-minded man and woman in the community who has read the report of the evidence given before the Court by witnesses not only for the appellant, but also ny those for the respondent board. H seems almost incredible to i, s that a body of educated men, constituting the Board of Governors of our High Schools, should have acted in such an arbitrary, undemocratic, and un-British way as they evidently have done in dismissing Mr PhiJhps. About six years ago-or, to be exact, in February, 1914—Mr Phillips was appointed physical instructor to the Otago Boys and Girls’ High Schools. On his arrival in Dunedin it was at once seen that Mr PhrJhps® was a first-class gymnast. Hood judges, both in and outside the education service, freely admitted that the apparatus work done by this gentleman vvas as neat, clean, and as perfectly finishod as anything ever seen in the schools e t-ie Dominion. Mr Phillips soon 6hov/ed hat he was not merely a gymnast, but that he was well qualified to train classes' m ree exercises, in swimming, boxing, and in school games. No complaint of his work was ever made by the rector of the Boys High School or by the ladv principal of the Girls’. All the reports on his work by the Education Department’s inspectors Were favorable. The only inspecuon of Ins work ever made by the board a* by two members, accompanied by aptam Frocks. This inspection, which was made at a time when, owing to exccptional circumstances, the work of physical instruction was somewhat dislocated, lasted only twenty minutes, -and was confined to one form. The work of Mr Phillips was never questioned by, nor had he ever been asked to appear before, the Board_ oi Governors. Before serving notice oi dismissal on Mr Phillips the board did not consult either the rector of the poy S> High School or the principal of the Girls, And yet, in spite of such treatment, Dr Fulton asserted, when the case for the Board of Governors, that they were surprised when Mr Phillips appealed against his dismissal. What ideas of justice ths five legal gentlemen and their fellow-members of. the board may have we know not; but the average citizen considers that no man should be dismissed, his career ruined, and his provision for old age or infirmity, in the shape of superannuation, forfeited without the assigning of good and sufficient reasons, and without his being given an opportunity of being heard in his defence. As we have said, it seems almost incredible that a body of men supposed to be educated, level-hea'ded, and fairminded should have treated a well-known, popular, and efficient teacher in such a way as to make it almost a certainty that his appeal against such treatment would be upheld by a. Court which, fortunately for himself and his dependents, he has recourse to.. We can only think, and we feel sure our surmise is correct, that members of the Board[ of Governors are such

busy business and professional men that they really have not time to devote to the close and careful consideration of such a question as the reorganisation of the scheme of physical education in ' the schools over wdjicli they have control. Xor can they be expected to have the expert knowledge necessary for the satisfactory solution of such a problem. Not a member of the board would wilfully, we feel sure, do an injustice to any servant of the board. It is, however, quite clear that, had it not been for the existence of a court of appeal for teachers, such an injustice would.have been perpetrated. In future, the. members of the Board of Governors will not act hurriedly on the advice of an officer of the Defence Department, however competent he may be, particularly, when such officer’s advice is based upon a twenty minutes’ inspection of a very small, section of a whole school.

It is quite a well-known fact that, duriug the last ten or fifteen years, the amount of indoor gymnastic work on apparatus has been greatly reduced, and that free exercises in the open air now form the greater part of the work of physical instructors and their pupils. •It is argued that these free exercises, properly taught, bring about concentration of thought, mental alertness, and physical development to a much greater degree than did the old-fashioned methods of indoor gymnastics on apparatus, where only the few exceptional pupils stood out prominently among their fellows. This may be, and we believe is, quite true; but, at the same time, there are many good judges who contend that the best method of treatment of this subject is—especially for boys—a judicious blending of free exercises, apparatus work, swimming, boxing, shooting, and special training in school games, such as football and cricket. It has further been proved that, as ..-a rule, the most successful instructors under the new methods are men and women who have a good knowledge of the old, and who are ready and willing to adapt themselves to the new, order of things. Mr Phillips, if given a chance, as we feel sure he now will be, is, in our opinion, just the man to work out and to carry out a scheme of physical education on the lines suggested by the Board of Governors, but practically applicable to the High Schools. We very heartily congratulate Mr Phillips on the result of his appeal, and trust that the lesson derived therefrom will not be lost on the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools or on similar bodies throughout the Dominion. We also congratulate Mr F. C. Campbell on the manner in which he conducted the case for the appellant. The board had not a leg to stand upon, and Mr Campbell had little difficulty in showing the Court that this was so. He was, however, so moderate and merciful in his treatment of “ the other side” that, we tiust, there will be left little or no cause for ill-feeling by either party to the dispute, and that, in the best interests of the schools, an entirely satisfactory arrangement will be speedily come to.

Mr Paulin’s forecast :—S.E. winds and fine. Iho New Zealand Overseas Shipowners’ Committee have received advice of 10 insulated steamers for the February loading. After an allowance for dairy produce shipments by these steamers, there should be left approximately 915,000 601b ‘carcases of meat. The January lifting will be approxi. mately 477,000 601b carcasses, making a total for January and February °of 1,392,000 601b carcases. Mr George Hogben, Government Seismologist, ‘states that it has been proved over and over again that sun spots and other astronomical phenomena do not cause earthquakes. The causes of earthquakes are within the earth, not outside. It would be a mere chance coincidence, even if one of the big earthquakes that are constantly happening were to fall on December 17. No one can foretell earthquakes in the way Mr Wragge claims to do; therefore there is no special cause for alarm to day. A Press Association message from Auckland states that, with reference to the cablegram to the Government Astronomer from Huva concerning Mr Clement Wrugge’a predictions and the comments of Mr George Hogben, Government Seismologist, on the subject, Air Wragge writes as follows: “ I never used tho word ‘ violent ’ in my advice regarding tho possible seismic action. If the people must go into hysteria because I performed what I considered was a simple act of kindness, that is not my fault; but I distinctly added that nothing might occur. With regard to Mr Hogben’s views, proof is all the other way, and neither his dicta nor those of anyone else can upset the mathematics of cosmos. A report is current, among other foolish talk, that I predicted the end of the world. Such an idea was never conceived by me.” ‘‘■The greatest theatrical event of the year” (so announced in the preliminary advertisements) was to have taken place at the Grand Theatre last night, with tho Royal Banzi (‘[monarch of mystery, and. master of the‘occult ”) as the principal figure. About 50 people assembled, to see the show, and after a demonstration of impatience from the back-seaters, the management at 8.20 announced, that there would be no performance that evening. Those who had paid for admission received their money back. Two false alarms wore received, this morning by the City Fire Brigade. The first was at 10.45 to the ‘ Star ’ Box Factory, and the other at ±2.4 to Penrose’s shop. The alarms wore probably the result of the extra heat of to-day on the automatic alarm apparatus. A movement for beautifying the town belt at Port Chalmers hy the planting of bulbs by the school children after the holidays was mentioned at tho local school break-up yesterday afternoon. Everybody who has a few bulbs to spare are requested to tho school, where they will be stored. Instead of throwing away bulbs when gardens are being attended to, these may be afterwards planted on the town belt if sent to the school. This beautifying scheme emanated from tho boiough council, and Cr Allan* is displaymg particular interest in promoting its successful accomplishment. Referring recently to a cable message irom \v eUmgton concerning the withdrawal of the steamer Tahiti from a trip from Melbourne to Wellington, Mr James, acting manager of the Melbourne branch of the Union Steam Sliip Company, said that the statement that there was a vast quantity of Wellington cargo offering at Melbourne was- hardly correct. 'When the Tahiti loft 'Melbourne on her last trip to Bluff and Dunedin she was 300 tons short of her space, and the Commonwealth Government freighter Australford, when she left last month for Lyttelton, Wellington, and Auckland, was not a full ship. Afterwards, the T’-aijjti was advertised for Lyttelton and Wellington for about a fortmght,) but the applications for space for Wellington amounted to only 601 tons, while the applications for Lyttelton were considerably fewer. This cargo booked will be taken on the Huddart-Parker steamer Westralia, due to leave Melbourne to-morrow for_ Wellington only. Any other cargo which may be offering will be brought by the Paloona, which is to leave Melbourne to-morrow for Bluff and Dunedin. The magisterial inquiry concerning the mishap to the Union Company’s collier Karon in Otago Harbor on the morning of November 18 will bo opened at the Magistrate’s Court at 10 a.m. to-morrow. Captain W. Manning, one of the assessors, arrived in Dunedin yesterday from Wellington. and. Captain Charles M‘Arthur, the other assessor, will reach here to-night. It is expected that the inquiry .will conclude to-morrow.

Tho only easo in the Police Court this moaning was an application by a wife against her husband for a maintenance, separation, and guardianship order, which was granted by consent. The members of the Arbitration Court returned .from Invercargill last evening, and held a deliberative sitting this morning. One of the societies which were unable to carry on during the war from lack of members was the Dunedin Prisons and Industrial Schools Reform Society. Renewed. interest in tho reform of improving the methods in these institutions is now manifest, and when the society hold their annual meeting on Friday next at the Town Hall a discussion on the great necessity for improvement will take place. It is hoped that the public will show their •’Sympathy by attending. Tho society did great work in the past and the demand for their operations is now as «reat as ever.

Wmte House Dollies’ Hospital.”—Variety prams, tricycles, rocking horses, glass, china, hardware; coupon discount “ every time." Todd’s (next Plaza).—[Advt.] “Have one with me.” “Whisky? Then Watson’s No. 10.” Pure, clean, and mellow —[Advt.) Dear Housewives, —To wash clothes' clean without rubbing or injury to hands or fabrics always me “No Rubbing” laundry help, in conjunction with the pure ''Golden Rule” ■soap. A. Miller and Co.—[Advt.] May your Xmas be merry and bright. See our fine selection of Xmas jewellery and other gift wares. Rusbatch and Co., jewellei's, George street.— [Advt,] M atson a No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the mouev.— [Advt.] New season’s photographic goods; excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 6s. bend your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. ’Phone 1.144 —[Advt. J , A tailoring firm whose goods give service and satisfaction, and Gone so for manv vears past: Ansell and Co., Octagon.— [Advt.] Christmas Jewellery.—Large selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendant’s, and silverware. Compare cur value. Peter Dick, jeweller, 490 Moray place.—[Advt,]

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19191217.2.22

Bibliographic details

Evening Star, Issue 17227, 17 December 1919, Page 4

Word Count
2,825

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1919. Evening Star, Issue 17227, 17 December 1919, Page 4

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1919. Evening Star, Issue 17227, 17 December 1919, Page 4