TEACHERS AND THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 7

TEACHERS AND THE WAR.

AUCKLAND RESOLUTIONS.

[Pee Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 11

A crowded meeting was lield at the Tonm Hall to inaugurate a Protestant Political Association. A resolution was passed expressing hearty approval of the national system of education in vogue in New Zealand as opposed to the sectarian system, and the determination of the meeting to strenuously combat all attempts to interfere with the religious liberty which tho national system affords. It also was resolved to congratulate tho Minister ,of Education on his firm opposition to the grant of State aid to Roman Catholic schools.

Another resolution affirmed “ That Protestants, protest against the glaring injustice being done to them and the teachers and children of tho Dominion, especially to men of tho Second Division, by the preferential treatment of Marist and Christian. Brothers in respect to military service. Further that tho meeting considers the. placing of teachers in tho Second Division in the list of essential workers, .when practically the whole of the eligible teachers of the First Division and many of the Second Division have volunteered, is extending further protection to Marist and Christian Brothers, which onlv adds to and intensifies the injustice already done by protecting them against service, while hundreds of their fellow teachers, whose claim to exemption is just, as valid, have been compelled to go to the front. The meeting, therefore, calls upon the Government to take action to ensure that these private school teachers render due service to the Empire before men of the Second Division are called upon to places that single men of the Marist. and Christian Brothers ought to fill.” A copy of the resolution is to he forwarded to the Prime Minister.