DISMISSAL OF TEACHERS

Southland Times, Issue 24493, 22 July 1941, Page 6

DISMISSAL OF TEACHERS

ATTITUDE TO MILITARY SERVICE HAWKE’S BAY ACTION SUPPORTED (P.A.) NELSON, July 21. A resolution congratulating the Hawke’s Bay Education Board on its attitude in dismissing teachers who had appealed against military service on the grounds of conscientious objection was passed unanimously by the Nelson Education Board. Mr J. Harkness said that if there were similar cases in the Nelson district he would move that the teachers be dismissed. Boards should continue that attitude even if appeals against their decisions were successful, in order to draw public attention to the position. Such persons should not be allowed to live in the country, much less hold teaching positions. He also referred to the Auckland case where a teacher refused to salute the flag. Mr F. Carling said he considered that children should not be under the influence of such persons. The chairman (the Hon. W. H. McIntyre) said the worst feature of the Auckland case was that the Teachers’ Institute, in the Journal of National Education, had claimed a great win against the board in the successful appeal of the teacher concerned. The regulations concerning the dismissal of teachers should be amended. “Conscientious objection has become a racket,” he said. “Shirkers are avoiding their duty under the cloak of religion. No one should draw wages from the Government if he is unwilling to do military service. Full support should be given to the Hawke’s Bay Board, which has drawn the attention of the people of New Zealand to the fact that there are teachers who would do nothing for their country yet could not be sacked under the regulations.”