JUVENILE REBELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18341, 6 March 1923, Page 5

JUVENILE REBELS.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING.

METHODS IN N,S. WALES. MINISTER TAKING ACTION. [from oirn OWN correspondent.] SYDNEY. Mar. 1. The reawakened activity of the Communist Sunday-schools, and the proposal to establish a Young Communist League in New South Wales, has made the Minister for Justice determined to eradicate these organisations by means of his Seditious Teachings Bill. This measure was prepared several months ago, itsobject being " to prevent the perversion of the minds of children under the age of 16 years by means of seditious teaching and revolutionary propaganda." Some of the songs which {Tie children have been taught to sing in these schools are as follows: We the rebel children sin?. Perish every court and king We've a world to nave and win, In the Revolution. Wo shall sing, all rebels sine, rebels sine, rebels sing. Wo shall sing, all rebels sins, hail the Revolution. What? wear a tricolor Union Jack, Samples of greed and stealth. And pull from the mast of the brotherhood The flag of tho Commonwealth? That's the rebel girl; that's the rebel girl. To the working classes she's a precious pearl. She brings courage, pride and joy To the fighting rebel boy. The Minister, Mr. Ley, considers that adults can look after themselves in respect of erroneous teachings, as they have sufficient balance to weigh the true with the false, but the susceptible minds of children need to be protected. Therefore, he has put in his Bill provision for imprisonment for three months and a fine of £50 for anyone who, with seditious intent, teaches" children under* the age of 16 seditious or anarchical doctrines. A seditious intention includes an intention to bring hatred or contempt or to incite dissatisfaction against the King and Constitution, to incite the King's subjects to attempt ■ otherwise than by lawful means the alteration of the form of government as by law established, or to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of His Majesty's subjects.