SPORTS AND SCHOOLS

NZ Truth, Issue 685, 27 July 1918, Page 3

SPORTS AND SCHOOLS

+ Savage Sectarianism m Bunedio BANNING THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. Caledonian Society and the Headmasters' Association. (From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) Recently, what is known as the Headmasters' Association of Dunedin forwarded to the Caledonian Society a set of conditions for future school sports meetings. One of the clauses m the said set of conditions was as follows: —"That these sports be open to State schools undor the control of the Otago Education Board, and the Boards of Governors of the Otago Boys' High School, Wai.taki Boys' High School, Gore High jSchool, and the King Edward Technical iCollege." Agreement with this adroit condition would mean the banning of the Christian Brothers' boys from any participation m the school championships which have become, under the popular Caledonian Society, an annual feature of considerable utility and interest. No wonder that all fair-minded people of all shades of belief and unbelief have characterised the headmasters' sectarian act as exhibiting a very mean spirit of sport. Of course, all Roman Catholic schools would be banned by the acceptance of the society of the condition m question. As, however, the only Catholic schools m Otago are controlled by the Brothers, it Is plain that the condition was directed SOLELY AT THEIR EXCLUSION. The Headmasters' Association forwarded the circular containing their precious set of rules./to the directors of the Caledonian Society, and' something of the nature of a very breezy meeting of the society took place last week. Mr, A. Begg presided. A letter from Brother Bowler, principal of the Christian Brothers' schools, gave the brethern's views on the proposed conditions and entered an objection to clauses 2 and 4. The brother went on to say: "The school is under the local Education Board so far as it is possible for us to place It, works the same curriculum, and is examined by Government examiners. The boys of State schools and of Catholic schools are fighting side by side for the Empire. Is the proposed condition fair to them? An age limit is the only fair way to judge what boys should, or should not, compete. The condition covering this matter penalised those boys and girls who, by their superior talent, received their proficiency certificates before the age of fourteen. Apart from these clauses, there were others which appeared to aim at withdrawing the school sports from the auspices of the Caledonian Society, a- happening which all true sports would deplore. Brother Bowler appealed to the directors, as gentlemen and sports, to see justice done to the Christian Brothers' boys, and allow them to compete with boys from other schools. The chairman said the headmasters had put a pistol to the head of the society. Mr. James Brown said that If they did not accept the offending clauses it might be that the Headmasters' Association might withdraw • their co-opera-tion and support, and thus make it very difficult, IT not impossible, for the society to continue the sports on established lines. Nevertheless, he would prefer to face that alternative—greatly as he would deplore the necessity —rather than allow the^society to surrender their fundamental principles. He moved:—"That the directors of the Caledonian Society cannot agree to the conditions^ drawn up by the Headmasters' Association, m so far as these restrict school sports to State schools. To do bo would mean the violation of the non-sectarian, non-poli-tical principles upon which the society was founded, and the abandonment of the free and open policy which has characterised the conduct of sport throughout its history." Mr. J. C. Stephens seconded the motion. He remarked that when it was realised that the only children outside the State schools who had competed m the past were Roman Catholics, it became perfectly evident at what denomination the headmasters' resolution aimed. Mr. W. B. McEwan expressed the opinion that the headmasters had NOT GOT OVER THE LICKING they received last year. They were still feeling sore. He would be sorry to see the sports discontinued, but he would rather see the society go down altogether than accept the conditions. Mr. P. Brcen said he always admired the way m which the Christian Brothers' boys had turned out and competed m the various events. Their success was a proof of what could be done when the masters took an interest m their athletic doings. In the State schools the masters did not take/anything like the same interest. If instead of trying to debar the ' Christian Brothers' vboys the masters were to make up their minds to encourage their own boys to . beat the Christian Brothers' Boys next year, it would show a better spirit. Mr. A. Sligo said they would get on better if they did not allow the headmasters to have anything to do with the sports at all. Messrs. Rudkin, McPeak, A. H. TonIcinson, 'J. S. Douglas, and H. H. S. White also spoke m terms of condemnation of the headmasters' manifesto. The headmasters had not one apologist at the meeting. All were for clean, open sport. The resolution .wa'S'(?!^arrl'<icl J u'nanim"ously. ' ; ''';' /r f. '''r'" ''' ' Mr. 'Stephens' moved .''^'Tfiat'.the directors have' 'every desire '•iV)'Hv6Hc with'ithe hSacrtn^6rW!&'nW'tiiat the Heafonafeters';AssoWatVdri 'be 1 ihvitell tb':rrie^-f' c'oftii .miftfce 1 of-'the'-'cliVectirs 1 to cTls'ci^iP t!he'; position;"'''l '.-•>■•■ "'"• ' " ~-"°^ •;"«<■' ■-■The l" motion'^ was Seconded '-by-^M'r. Torikinsph and •'carried unanimously. The president, vice-president, and Messrs. Brown, Stephens, Sligo, Rudkin and Breen were appointed to meet the headmasters should a conference be arranged by the parties.