NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18347, 10 September 1921, Page 6

NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

AN APPLICATION. REFUSED. . (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. The application from the National Peace Council for permission to address children in schools, and to form branches of the Peace League, was refused by the Canterbury Education Board at its meeting to-day. The deputation was headed by Mr C. ■ R. Maokie, the secretary of the council, who waited on the. board following upon a letter in which tho former body outlined its aims. Tho board defined its attitude in the following resolution: —“That while tho hoard is mindful of the untold blessings that would result from universal and stable peace, and is earnestly desirous that the endeavours of tho League of Nations may bring such pence Within measurable distance, it cannot regard with approval, or even equanimity, the propaganda of a body that at a time of imminent peril merely took up the attitude of benevolent, but nevertheless dangerous, neutrality, which, had it been shared by the majority of the people, would have spelt disaster to the British Empire, and deprived her citizens of that freedom which all unbiased persons recognise they enjoy under the present constitutional Government, and that therefore tho board cannot accede to the request preferred by the National Peace Council.,” Tho letter from the Peace Council read: “That a Children’s Pence League in New Zealand is being formed, and asks for tho assurance that no unnecessary obstacle will be placed in the way of the council’s addressing children and forming branches _ of the Peace League in schools; also expressing the hope that tho council had tho goodwill of the board in approaching school committees and seeking their active co-operation and their consent to the use of tho school buildings.”