NOT SALUTING FLAG

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11048, 3 November 1921, Page 2

NOT SALUTING FLAG

BLAME RESTS WITH PARENTS. DECISION OF EDUCATION MINISTER. The following statement with regard to children who refuse to salute the flag, was made yesterday by the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister for Education) ‘‘A circular has been sent to toe education boards, and will appear in the next issue_ of toe ‘Education -Ga-‘ aatte.’ This intimatee that any child who refrains from taking part in patriotic observances must hring a note from his parents stating that it is their wish'that thq child shall take no part. The teachers will also be informed that such a child should not be exempted directly, and should .not be allowed.' to separate himself from the other children during apy ceremony. The objecting child will simply remain, among his fellowe inactive. X feel sure that if the teachers tactfully handle this matter tod few children concerned wijl soon bring such pressure to bear on their parents that, in the majority of oases, they will be allowed to join with the other children, as they most naturally wish to do. Every child loves to jam in a ceremony of this kind! with his fellows. A parent da really cruel’to his child when he instructs him to, stand out- It is the parents who are to hlame, not the child, and it would he ~a mistake to penalise in any way a qhild beoaiuse he hoe Wongheaded, misguided parents, who persist in staying m New Zealand under tpe British flag and enjoying, all the privileges of Bnvjah cdtmenship and yet are absolutely disloyal. ‘‘Afn Malcolm’s, suggestion that the parent* should ;he disfranchised is one that we may yet have to consider. Thebaet thing, however, is to leave the matter largely to too tact of the teachers and toe public opinion of the playground. Most of the eases of difficulty will soon disappear, and it can then he considered whetoeir, in the small number remaining, any action should be token.”