HEADMASTERS AND BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 25303, 5 June 1935, Page 2

HEADMASTERS AND BOARD

To the Editor. Sir, —I would like to add my congratulations to you along with those of “Disgusted Committeeman,” for publishing the full details of a matter, which at first caused me grave concern. I think I am not alone in this, for from many I have heard opinions expressed which were not favourable

to the teachers, but which, I admit, were the result of being kept in the dark. In my opinion, the teachers made a tactical error in not giving you their side of the case earlier. However, now that you saw the position from our point of view and gave the details, I am sure that any person of average ability will say straight out that the board has erred grievously and that there has been a grave miscarriage of justice. I do not know all of the headmasters, nor do I know all the members of the board. What I think is that the letter is the honest statement of a number of honourable gentlemen, who considered the matter and then at their earliest opportunity notified those who sent out the instructions. ' It seems quite simple. Then, if there is nothing else behind the scenes, the board, as another body of what we think to be honourable gentlemen, should rescind the motion and clear the air entirely. I have it on good authority that some of the town committees passed a special motion of appreciation of the action of the headmasters, who at least, placed the well-being of the child before all else, and one would expect board members to have sufficient intelligence to appreciate and support the position. If it is merely a matter of disobeying board’s orders regardless of all dangers attendant upon children taking part in public parades, could any board member give the contents or details of the motion passed at any of their meetings whereby the schools were requested or ordered to parade? As far as 1 know no such request or order was framed or issued nor was authority delegated to others. Nothing breeds dissatisfaction ana discontent more than distrust and if the board is going to adopt the attitude of condemning unjustly, behind closed doors, then it will engender a spirit that must make harmonious working impossible. I would suggest that the board consider its autocratic position less ana those whose interests they represent and serve, more.—l am, etc. “ANOTHER COMMITTEE-MAN.”