PACIFISTS ALARMED

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 6 August 1920, Page 6

PACIFISTS ALARMED

NAYS" LEAGUE AND THE

SCHOOLS

T.vo long letters from the Christchurch Peace Council, objecting to the Navy League propaganda in primary schools, l,ave been sent to tho Hon, O. J. Pan*, Minister for Education, who is not disposed to givo the pacifists smy satisfaction. The Minister remarked to a representative of the Lyttelton Times that the Penes Council considers that every effort should be made to inculcate the principles of brotherhood and mutual and embodied in tho League of Nations, which definitely stood for reduction of aimiHnents. They contended that the functions of State education must centre exclusively in training children in all branches of learning which would best fit them to become useful, capable citizens.

<:I see no objection to the Navy League propaganda/ said the Minister. "Indeed, the Navy League has douo most useful work. But for the agitation of the Navy League in 1913-14, which forced the hands of weak-kneed pacifists in the British Cabinet and compelled an adequate naval vote, the chances are that Germany ■would have wiped the-; British fleet off the seas, and to-day New Zealand won Id have been o German possession. I don't agree that the teaching of the glorious history of our N.ivy is inadvisable. The Navy I/oague bans the introduction of purely political matter. Its aim is to educate citizens to realise the need for adequate naval defence. No country depends more than we do for our national existence upon the British Navy, and it is well for our young people to know this. TRo Peace Council claims that we should rely upon the League of Nations and abandon arnnaments). What avail is the League of Nations a,s a practical imeasure of safety? America has withdrawn. Every country is increasing its armamonts. Germany hut wants an opportunity to strike again. Poland, which yesterday was created an independent* State by the. League *of Nations, is being over-rvn by -Soviets, and the Leag.i© is apparently

nonsense to prefer the League _of Nations to reasonable defensive measures, so I approve of tho efforts of the Navy Leaguo to encourage onr children to take an intelligent interest in the Niavv and what it stands for."