TEACHER “CONCHIES”

Evening Star, Issue 23973, 26 August 1941, Page 6

TEACHER “CONCHIES”

EDUCATION BOARD PROBLEM POWER TO TERMINATE ENGAGEMENT SOUGHT (Special). WELLINGTON, Aug. 26. The position in which education boards bud themselves when asked to deal with complaints relating to teachers who are conscientious objectors was placed before the Minister of Education, Mr Mason, by a deputation from tlie Wellington Education Board. The deputation was not open to the Press, but after it had withdrawn Mr Mason stated that representations had been made to him by the board that difficult problems arose when teachers appealed on the ground of conscientious objection to .military service, and that the feeling which arose in the community as a result often create?! an intolerable position, which the boards had no power to deal with. The board asked that power be given which would enable the boards to terminate the engagement of teachers promptly in such circumstances.

Mr Mason stated that he deputation that the Minister of National Service had authority under the existing regulations to deal, with the situation. and ihe would confer with that Minister with a view to securing prompt application of those remedies, which would be applied through the special tribunals now being set up to deal with conscientious objectors. The Minister said be believed that those tribunals would be functioning immediately. In the event of this not being found to secure a prompt remedy, he would consider the question of increasing the powers of education boards.