“READY FOR A FIGHT”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19986, 29 June 1920, Page 7

“READY FOR A FIGHT”

REV J, K. ARCHER’S APPOINTMENT.

ECONOMICS AND LABOUR.

*'l'in -ready for a light, if they want U, ’ Haiti the Rev J . K. Archer this morning, referring to the opposition that was shown to his proposed appointment as tutor in tho economies class conducted at Sydenham under the auspices of the Workers’ Educational Association. Mr Archer, who is Baptist minister in Sydenham, has become very widely known through his pronounced Labour leanings. At tho general election, in H919. ho contested the Invercargill seat in tho interests of Labour. The polling was;— J. A. Ilanau (Liberal; . 4560 J. K. Archer (Labour) . ’1227 Reccntlv Mr Yrchcr has filled the position .if teacher to the Sydenham Economics Class. When it was proposed at yesterday’s meeting of tho Canterbury College Board of Governors that be should lw raised to the definite status of tutor, Mr L. M. Isitt and others objected, ou the ground that Mr Archer was a strong propogandist on one side of the economic question. “ 1 am greatly surprised," said Mr Archer, that any objections have been taken to my appointment as tutor of the Sydenham Economics Class, under the auspices of the TV .E.A. I have made no secret of the fact that I am an ardent Labour man; and I am so convinced of the essential justice of the claims of Labour that, upon all legitimate occasions, I advocate them. That I have not done so, however, in the position of tutor to an economics class is proved by tho fact that for the session 1915-16, I conducted such a_ class in Invercargill, and not tho slightest question was raised as to my method of doing so." No tutor of economics, continued Mr Archer, whether by literature or by lectures, suppressed bis ixrsoual view of things, though lie always dearly indicated when ho was quoting tho recognised authorities and when he was stating the case as he saw it. “ T notice that tho chief objections are made by Mr L. M. Isitt. M.P.. and the Rev IS. Lawry. I consider that, m the case of tho former, it is tho result of an intemperate hate of tho Labour movement and personal resentment at my disagreement with Mr isitt on tho question of indentured labour. Of co I rM, there was no mention, of that at the meeting of the .Board of Governors, but I have no doubt that is the real cause.” Mr Archer remarked that be was very anxious that no church should bo involved m the matter, but it was striking to note 'that tho two opponents to the appointment wore Methodists. It was very significant that at the last meeting- of the Council of Churches, held ou Juuo 21, lie had fought tho question of indentured labour, ami that the council carried a resolution in favour of its abolition. The chief opposition camo from the friends of tho two gentlemen who were opposing his appointment. He would mavc the public to draw their own inferences. “I do not wish to speak about my qualifications, except to say that I have had four years’ training in the Nottingham University College and that for more than twenty years I ha.ro specialised in the study of economics, and that 1 satisfied Dr Cameron, Chancellor of Otago University, and tho other people who have control of the TV .E.A. in tho south, that 1 was fully qualified for tho position of tutor. I regret that this matter has boon raised, not on personal grounds, but because it is certain to lead to misunderstanding among the workers which tho classes are chiefly intended to reach." , Mr Archer points;out that the controlling body for _ appointments in Christchurch is n joint coiuiuiltoc consisting of three representatives of the Board of Governors of the college, Mr H. I). Aclancl, Dr Chilton and* Dr Hight, and three representative,? of the W.E.A., Messrs H. Worrall and W. J. M’Cnllough, and himself. However, when the question of his appointment camo up for consideration, lie deliberately stayed away fhom tho committee meeting.