Service Dodging Teachers Are War Profiteers

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1941, Page 7

Service Dodging Teachers Are War Profiteers

IPcr Press Association.—Copyright] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The term “war profiteers" was applied in a discussion by the Canterbury Education Board yesterday on school-teachers who had been exempted from military service because they were pacifists or conscientious objectors. Such men, ft was said, could apply for positions vacated temporarily by other teachers joining up to fight, get the jobs, and get a higher salary with them. The report of a committee put before the board suggested that the position could be met by asking the Education Department to add a clause to the regulations governing these positions. stipulating that conscientious objectors and pacifists exempted by the Armed Forces Appeal Board should not be eligible for appointments to positions carrying a, higher salary and temporarily vacated by soldier-teachers. The committee’s report was adopted unanimously. Paltry Excuses in Appeals When the report of the appointments committee concerning this suggestion was before the board in committee, the chairman (Mr. R. Wild) suggested that it be given to the newspapers.

Mr. R. Smith opposed this on the ground that the position should not be made public until the department was advised.

“It should be made public,” said Mr. W. T. Langley. Men who were putting forward paltry excuses in appeals against war service could step into jobs vacated by men who were giving their lives for their country. The chairman said that only teachers on a lower salary at present could apply for jobs vacated. Those exempted from service could thus become “war profiteei’s” and make more money than they had before.

Canadian Tanks.—The first Canadianproduced heavy tank was completed yesterday at the Canadian Pacific railway shops at Montreal. The vicepresident of the company (Dr. D’Alton C. Coleman) said the new tanks would be produced for Britain by hundreds and thousands.