THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18324, 14 February 1923, Page 3

THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

Sir, —An oath, when it is of the wide I and general nature of the one demanded of teachers, is naturally a difficult thing to phrase. Usually there is considerable latitude of interpretation, and some reservations, which, although not put into so : many, words, are yet, clearly; understood by the contracting parties. In . the past the reservation "aa long as such undertaking continues not to conflict with my duty to God" has always been taken for granted whenever a Christian has taken an oath of allegiance. Scores -of Christian teachers took the oath believing in all honesty .that there was no need to stress a point so well understood. One man, Mr. A. W. Page, M.A., put into so many words what others had : merely thought. He was a good teacher of irreproachable character, and was rendering splendid service to the community. He was at once dismissed. In the light of this test case there can be no question of the fact that the Government is demanding >an absolutely unconditional promise of obedience to the State in all circumstances. There are still only a few people who realise the appalling fact that in New Zealand of to-day any Christian teacher who in plain words declares that his first duty is to God will be dis missed, and that any man desirous of entering the profession will be refused if he qualifies his promise of true service to the State by the declaration of the, basic principle of his life. This matter goes very deep. It is an attack on the liberty of conscience and once that has gone liberty of all expressed thought has gone. When freedom is in chains there is no possibility of progress. There is widespread and ever-increasing dissatisfaction with the oath of allegiance and all the! other mechanical methods of inculcating what, with some, is regarded as loyalty. Love and loyalty cannot, be compelled or driven. They can only be won. ■ 0. E. Bxjbton.