CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 21, 22 December 1937, Page 10

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Having read a good many of the exhortations delivered by speakers to the pupils of the various schools during the recent breaking-up ceremonies, that of Mr W. H. Stevens, of the AVellesley College, Wellington, calls for criticism. That gentlemen pointed out that according to moralists, education was a failure, and the church a spent force, a statement that will not be relished by the advocates of the back to Church movement. Mr Stevens asks us to picture mentally a pupil inspired with the beauty of Shelley’s “To a Skylark,” _ then going home to write an appreciation of it whilst listening to that salacious classic entitled “Sandy at the Nudists’ Club,” or “Crashed in the Jungle,” from 2ZB; and, says Mr Stevens, “What can the 4- schools and churches do to raise the moral tone of the community when governments vie with one another in breaking every decent, moral, and ethical principle.” That is a serious charge for Mr Stevens to make, and one which will be resented by a good many people. It looks distinctly political for Mi- Stevens to _ saddle 2ZB with all the alleged sins of “Sandy” and “Cliing Li,” because 2ZB lias not a broadcasting monopoly of the items, which have evidently passed the British Board of Censors, and are common broadcasts. I have not heard “filling Li,” but 1 , have “Sandy,” and I like him for his natural wit, and let me say right here that I am not looking for any more vulgarity than the opponents of “Sandy.” who appear to be in a minority as far as the vote goes. There is such a thing as weak modesty, and if sex hygiene were taught in the schools by suitable teachers, the pupils being supplied with a knowledge of themselves and how to promote -physical and mental health, there would be less trouble due to innocence or ignorance. I have uo desire to join the “Nudist Club” as I like warmth, but history tells us that among the sennnudo tribes, a code of morality as good, if not better, than we have today existed. It can be conceded that Mr Stevens- is a cultured gentleman, otherwise lie would not hold his proseht position. That being so. i wonder wliat would be the attitude of Mr Stevens were his pupils to visit the great art galleries of the world which house the masterpieces of artists ot renown, men and women who saw beauty in nature unadorned. Would he think it would affect his pupils’ appreciation of Shelley? If the churches and schools have failed as stated by moralists, and mentioned by Mr Stevens, it is the duty of Mr Stevens and his co-workers to ascertain the cause of failure. It may be possible that the failure is due not so much to the lack of co-operation by the home with the Church and school, but the lack of co-operation by the latter with the former. With the success of the school medical service, dental clinics, and milk scheme, the time perhaps is not remote when we can with justice use the Latin tag “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano,” a sound mind in a healthy body. Since dealing with Mr Stevens’s speech, I see by the Press that Mr Campbell, of Hastings, has used the breaking-up ceremony at one of the schools for the purpose of discussing Opposition political propaganda. Tilings have come to a nice state. No doubt the electors will take due notice.—l am, etc.,

W. F. CUTLER, 39 Ada Street, Palmerston North.