JUNIOR ELECTIONS IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 15

JUNIOR ELECTIONS IN SOUTHLAND

CHILDREN AS CANDIDATES FOR “PARLIAMENT”

Elections are in the air at present, and not to be outdone by their parents, the children of Southland, under the guidance of Cousin Betty of The Southland Times, are organizing an election of their own. The children have their own candidates whose platforms, _ in which there is no suggestion bf politics or political parties, were published in the last two issues of The Little Southlanders’ Chronicle, the children’s supplement of The Southland Times. Many of the candidates advocate the abolition of homework in schools, and the proposals are all of a visionary nature, not influenced in any way by current politics,' but dealing solely with matters of interest to children. The teachers in the schools of Southland, realizing that this election is an excellent lesson in civics without any of the rivalry or hard-feeling of an actual political campaign, are giving it their whole-hearted support, and the electoral roll, published in The Little Southlanders’ Chronicle this morning, is a long one, including as it does the majority of the children in the higher standards of the primary schools and the junior pupil? of the secondary schools.

The election will take place next week, and the children are being asked to vote for the candidate whom they consider has written the best platform, and would be best suited to represent the younger people of the province in an imaginary Parliament.