THE REASON WHY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 4

THE REASON WHY

HEADMASTERS EXPLAIN

(Per Press Association, Copyright)

INVERCARGILL /May 31

Following a discussion in committee on the absence from the Jubilee parade ef the primary schools of the city •on May 6. the Southland Education Boar 1, at its meeting to-day carried the following resolution: “The Board regrets the action of the headmasters of the Jnvercargilll schools in not giving" "the Mayor of Invercargill and the Citizens’ Committee an opportunity of providing 1 suitable ceremonies for the children on the occasion of the jubilee celebrations on Olay 6, and considers that grave discourtesy was shown to the Board and the civic authorities.”

A copy of a letter sent to the Board was later obtained Tvom the headmasters, who stated that the Board was wrong in assuming that the children of the town schools were debarred from taking part on May 6 by a resolution of the Headmasters’ Association. The decision not to take part in the parade, if held, was come to at an informal meeting cf the town headmasters, and it was merely their reaffirmation of a decision arrived at some months ago, solelv in the interests of the children. They pointed out that not yet had one of the headmasters concerned received a request from fhe pupils of his school to take part in the procession. The headmasters outlined their attitudes to parades in general, and stated that the pupils should not ho required to stand for lengthy (periods. Long before the marado in question, the headmasters had endeavour to protect their inupils, and that was the major reason wny roe attendance of the nupils at Anzae naiades was replaced by ceremonies at t ho individual schools. Thp action of the headmasters could not he construed either as flouting the Board’s ■wish., or even as indirectly showing discourtesy to the 'Mayor.