WAR AND EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 24918, 16 July 1943, Page 5

WAR AND EDUCATION

YOUTH PROBLEMS SCHOOL COMMITTEES MEET Tho effect of war on the education system and (.lie children of New Zealand was dealt with by Mr G, T. Anderson, president of thb School Committees' of Otago, at the annual meeting of the association last night. The youth of to-day, he said, was suffering from the shortage of teachers and constant changing of teachers, from attendance at unsuitable pictures, and from the pernicious ijle*s gained from listening, to broadcasts of g*ng; ster serials and other stories and featured giving them the wrong ideals of life. Thd association, he said, had far niore to do than ever before in caring for the children of (stago schools. Dr Salmond outlined the policy, of the churches in regard to religious instruction m schools. It was essential, he said, that the children of to-day should $4 taught Christian principles. 'Our civilisation was I'oiuicled on living Christian idpals . which a vital democracy must adopt to .give it a sense of direction. The Nazi Party had proved what could bo accomplished by the training of its youth, and the parents, teachers, and churches in New. Zealand should bo concerned in developing the teaching of tho Christian tradition in schools. Over 100,000 children in'Ne'w Zealand to-day were receiving religious instruction, and over 50,000 were taking in daily worship. In Qtago most schools had -religious instruction and worship, and the Education Board and teachers were most sympathetic to the movement. MILK IN SCHOOLS. Mr A. C. Dumble, of Green Island, introduced the subject of " "the milk supply in Otago schools. . ,It..vi'« ridiculous, he said, thai; in the winter months, when -milk was .. needed inmost, there should be no supply for the-school*. Although war conditions had aggravated the position, milk had never been available in the winter months since the inauguration of the scheme in 1937. He urgejS the association to take vigorous steps Jo have the Government investigate the position. Health authorities had statedthat each child should have a quart of milk" a. day, and men with large families, needed the assistance of the Government to obtain thiji quantity. Mr Anderson also stressed the need for action, and said that the .Government should see that the'rjs wor9 large enough herds to ensure an adequate winter supply. Other speakers supported thcidea, though the opinion was expressed that it 'was in impossible ideal at present when labour was so scarce. The following resolution wss passed: — " That this committee write to, the Minister of Health and ask. him to hold,!■&' imiiSedir ale investigation into the supply, pt i*ilk In school children in the -winter finis, eSas it "affects the Dunedih district, with a view to having a , supply for the. schools in the winter time; arid .*H,I> a' cojjiy of the motion be sent to tllV.Ot9.gb jfedtiijfttion Board and to Dr McKibbin, district medical officer of health.", The question of the quality and cleanliness of milk was Also ' authorities were tc> be instructed : 'tp,s'ettd to the Health Department .immediately a samnle of any milk which was belojf' standard. CHILD DELINQUENCY. A report from (he Auckland. Education Board on child delinquency wa? diicuMAd.. The suggestion that the for'child delinquency were 'largely , lack of. parental control and war conditions was suppdrtM, and the Auckland committee's, sujjgfsUa plan for corrective action was endorpejtl. OFFICERS. The following officers were, elected :—Prer sident, Mr W. P. Birchall (Dun Min North Intermediate); past president, .|4.r G. Anderson (Anderson's Bay); vice-feesidettt, Mr N. D. Anderson (St. Clair);and treasurer, Mr J. A. Evaiis Valley); executive—Mrs' McArthur (Hijjh Street), Messrs H. Buhn (NortK-eas't Valley), T. G. Boyd (Mosgiel), A. o.' Durable (Green Island), M A.' Robson .(St.Cflair), W. G. Leathley (Macandrey Iriteriijedia;!*), H. H. Johnson (life lrieniber), S JI. Ridflle (Morningtoh), and A...J. "VVplgast, (Cayersham) ; delegates to Otago Primary Sports Association, Messrs J/. Sanderson and A. T. Mclndoe; Vocational Guidance ASSo-> ciaiion, Mr M. A. R6bsc;n.