SCHOOL SYLLABUS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20781, 16 July 1937, Page 11

SCHOOL SYLLABUS

NO COMMENT TO MAKE By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 15. The delegation of the new Education Fellowship is in New Zealand to discuss educational matters and does not desire to become involved in any public controversies. This was made clear this morning by Mr L. Zilliacus, chairman of the executive board of the Fellowship, when he declined an invitation to comment on the Primary School syllabus. “I would rather not comment on that subject in a newspaper interview,” he said, ‘‘and that gives me an opportunity of saying something that I have had in mind for a few days. The delegation has not come to New Zealand to criticise your education, still less to offer any advice on matters that are political. Although members of our party must be free to express such opinions as they see fit in answer to questions put to them as individuals, they must not be considered as in any way representing the view of the Fellowship. ‘‘There are two matters that have roused a certain amount of controversy. One is the question of religious teaching in schools. In regard to this I wonder if there has not been some misunderstanding. The Interview published with Dr. Norwood does not show him to have pronounced an opinion on this subject, but merely on the occurrence of the word ‘secular’ in the statute. The other matter is military training in schools. As I happen to hold contrary opinions to Dr. Norwood, it will be clear that neither of us is in a position to express the mind of the delegation.”