SACKING OF TEACHERS

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1941, Page 4

SACKING OF TEACHERS

FOR MILITARY APPEALS Nelson Education Board’s Support BULLER MEMBER’S ADVOCACY. (P.A.) NELSON, July 21. A resolution congratulating the Hawke’s Bay Education Board on its attitude in ‘ dismissing teachers who had appealed against military service on the grounds of their conscientious objection, was passed unanimously by the Nelson Education Board toMr J. Harkness (Westport) said that if there were any similar cases ,n the Nelson district, he would move that the teachers should be dismissed. He said the Education Boards should continue that attitude even if the appeals made against their decisions were successful in order to draw nublic attention to the position. Such people, he said, should not be allowed to live in this country, much less hold, teaching positions in it. He also referred to the Auckland case, where a lad\’ teacher refused to salute the hag. Mr F. Carling considered uiat children should not be under the influence of such people. The Chairman, Hon. W. H. Mclntyre (Buller), said that the Avorst feature of the Auckland teacher’s case was that the New Zealand Teachers’ Institute, in the “Journal of National Education.” had claimed a great win against the Board in the successful appeal of the teacher concerned. He asserted that the regulations concerning the dismissal of teachers should be amended. Hon. Mr Mclntyre added: “Conscientious objection has become a racket. Shirkers are avoiding their dutv under the cloak of religion. No one should draw wa»es from the Government if - such a one is unwilling to do milita”- service. Full support should be given to the Bay Board, which has drawn the attention of the people of New Zealand to the fact that there are teachers who would do nothin" for their country. and yet who could not be sacked' under the regulations.”