“DIABOLICAL STUFF.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16538, 23 September 1921, Page 8

“DIABOLICAL STUFF.”

ALLIANCE SCHOOL PROPA= CAND-A, OPPOSED BY OOMIVIITT'EES * ASSOCIATION. Pamphlets circulated hy th© Xew Zealand Alliance were discussed and condemned by the School Committees’ Association at a meeting last evening. The secretary (Mr A. Peverill) said that the ‘‘ Citizens’ Encyclopaedia Prohibition Facts” contained propaganda matter. After reading extracts, he said that it was literature that was not fit to go before children between the ages of ten and fourteen. It was “ diabolical stuff.” The New Zealand Alliance, in its- circulars to Education Boards, nad not mentioned one pamphlet that contained objectionable matter. If the matter quoted was considered a fit, educational subject, then the sooner their children were, taken away the better. Mr Peverill moved “ That this association bring before the Minister of Education its view that, before any contentious pamphlets are authorised to be placed in our schools, the matter first be placed clearly before committees for consideration and report.” Mr \V. Chapman seconded the motion. Mr J. O, Prudho© said that he considered the action of the New Zealand Alliance ill-advised. The sooner the Alliance mended its ways, the better. He moved as an amendment “ referring to the Prize Essay Competition organised by the New Zealand Alliance, seeing that the secretary of this School Committees’ Association, whey also happens to be secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, has given expression publicly to a protest and opinions which have not been considered or authorised by this association, publicity be given to the following as being the association’s view’ of the waiter:—‘lt regrets to fine; that, whilst it is stated in the leaflet issued by the New’ Zealand Alliance that the essays in tlio proposed Dominion competition on the subject of

‘ ‘ Alcohol and tho Human Body and Mind ” are to be based on a non-par-tisan syllabus, issued by the Education authorities, yet the leaflet bearing a “ Vanguard” advertisement is accompanied by a pamphlet which is largely an advocate of prohibition. The association is of the opinion that the distribution of the printed matter in its present form should not be allowed. The pamphlet should be absolutely withdrawn and a fresh leaflet should be issued, restricting tho subject matter of the essay to tho official syllabus, and omitting the t£ Vanguard ” advertisement. The association also desires to state that the foregoing decision must not be regarded, in any way, as an indication that it holds anti-prohibition views.’ ” Mr D. Rowse seconded the amendment. Mr Prudhoe said that h© sympathised with Mr Peverill. Mr Peverill: Well, I don’t . Mr Prudhoe: It wa-s an unfortunate position to be in. secretary of this association and of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association as well. Mr Rowse said he thought the association or the executive should have been consulted before any statement was made by the secretary. The president (Mr T. Huberfield) said that Mr Peverill had done nothing without his consent- He gave,him permission to send all the telegrams that were sent to the Minister. A delegate said that the pamphlet quoted was a ecnrrilous document. The action of the president and secretary should bo endorsed. Mr Prudhoe withdrew that part of his amendment referring to the secretary’s position as secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association. The motion was carried. A further motion that the action of the and secretary should bo endorsed was carried without dissent. Mr Franklin then moved: “That in future, when important matters crop up in connection with tho association, the executive be called together.” Airs Fulford seconded this motion. Mr Peverill said that he took Mr Franklin's motion as an attack on himself. If it were thought that he did not carry out the duties of the secretary in a satisfactory manner, then he would resign. Mr "VY. Tuck said that there was no need for the motion. Mr 1‘ rauklm’s motion was carriedNAVY LEAGUE AND SCHOOLS. OPINION DIVIDED. Discussion of Navy League propaganda in the schools took ud a great deal of time at last evening’s meeting of the School Committees’ Association. There was a large attendance of dele-* gates. Representatives of the Navy League, Messrs C. E. Bevan-Brown and C. J. Treleaven, waited on the association and gave their view of the question. THE LEAGUE'S ATTITUDE, \ Mr Bevan-Brown said that, judging by the report of the last meeting of the association, there seemed to be a misunderstanding, on tho* part of some, of the position. Tho league did not propose to take up school time. Further, the league was not militarist or jingoistic. It abhorred war. (Applause.) Tho Canterbury*’ branch of the league had passed the following resolution : “ That this council supports the proposal of the London office that a conference between Great Britain. America and other leading naval Powers should be held, and generally supports the memorandum, particularly the clauses referring to international disarmament. At the same time, it considers it of paramount importance* that the British fleet at all times should be equal to that of the strongest naval Powers.” All members of the Canterbury branch were in favour of the League of Nations, and lie personally hoped to see a branch of the League of Nations Union formed in Christchurch. Why, then, did the league desire to have lectures given in the schools? It believed that the sea Avas Britain’s life. It wished to inculcate a sane patriotism, a sound love of country, something that was opposed to a vague internationalism. He did not believe in a. narrow patriotism. On the other hand, he did not like that internationalism which said a man should love any country but his own. Tlio British flag had always stood for freedom. In the last war the British fleet under Lord Jellicoe saved Europe from the tyranny of Prussianism. In its lectures, the league hoped to impress all that on tho children, to cultivate an intense love of countrv. He felt, after forty years’ experience, that, next to love of God, love of country was tho most wholesome "* thing that could be instilled into children. Mr Treloavon said that the league had now forty-seven school branches, mostly in the country, and in no case was school work interfered with. The addresses usually lasted about ton minutes. They dealt with the leseona of history and the importance of maritime matters. Answeringwi Question. Mr Treleaven

said that th© league only wished to enter the spools so as to interview the head masters with a view t-o arranging lectures after school hours. The lectures were to be given once a quarter in the city and once a year in the country schools. Mr Bevan-Brown said there was no compulsion about the lectures. If boys and girls joined th© league they paid a small subscription and were given a badge. After the deputation had withdrawn, a woman delegate asked why representatives of tlio Peace Council were not present to give their side of the case. Tho chairman said that the Peace Council should know just as well as th© Navy League that the discussion was t-o take place. A delegate said that many school committees had already given the Navy League permission to give lectures. How did Hhose committees stand P The chan-man said that all the association could do was to pass a recommendation that could b© forwarded to the committees. AN IMPORTANT MATTER Mr J. C. Prudhoe said that the matter was one of importance. He moved : That this associotion heartily approves of the training of scholars in love of country, in loyalty to the Throne and people; and in the duty of providing every reasonable moans in defence of country and righteousness; but so*far as the work in the schools is concerned these objects axe, in its opinion, sufficiently provided for by means of the School Journal and by teachers who should be quite capable of reviewing the lessons contained therein. The association, therefore, cannot see its way to approve of tho proposal for visiting the schools, but would gladly welcome the assistance of. the Navy League in the direction of securing the erection of a children’s picture theatre in the city, where not only the objects of the league but the school work generally could be illustrated and made still more effective. Mr W. Chapman seconded the motion. 1 Mr J. Burgess moved as an amendment— * That the School Committees’ Association opposes any outside interference in an already overcrowded curriculum and recommends that no party or association bo permitted to enter the schools during the school hours. Mr J. D. Fraser seconded the amendment. THE LOYALTY ASPECT. A point of order was raised as to whether the amendment was not on the same lines as'the motion. The mover of the amendment said that he would withdraw if the motion were not bo long. Ihe chairman ruled that both motion and amendment should b© put to the meeting. Mr CL E. Franklin said that the Navy League liad interviewed the association as a matter of courtesy. It could give lectures to school children after school hours, whether the association liked it or not. He hoped that it would not go out to the community at large that the association was opposed to tho objects of the Navy League as now defined. What would people think ? A delegate: That we are a band of Red Feds. Mr Franklin said that New Zealand had its liberty, its prosperity and its safety beeauEo it was guarded by the British Navy. Let members of the School Committees’ Association show that they were Britishers to the backbone and vote for the motion. Mr Burgess said that he objected to any suggestion that he was not a Britisher. Mr Franklin: If tho can fits, wear it. A delegate said that it looked as if supporters of the motion wero to be classed as Britishers and supporters of the amendment as anti-Britishers. That was going the proper way to break up the association. When a division was taken 19 voted for the amendment and 15 for the motion. Mr T. P. Mooro moved as a further amendment:— That this association lias no recoffimendation to make, but refers the question to each individual committee to deal with it as inclined. Nfr R. Hudson seconded the further amendment. Mr Fraser said that, if the further amendment were carried, then the meeting had been wasting time and the association wag a useless organisation. Mr Moore said he suggested nothing of the kind. The position was that several committees had already decided on the question. The further amendment was defeated. The original amendment, opposing any outside interference with the curriculum, was then put as a motion and declared carried by 21 votes to 10. LABOUR PARTY’S OBJECTION. The Canterbury Labour Representation Committee wrote objecting to onesided propaganda in th© schools by militarists and Imperialists, to compulsory singing of the National Anthems and saluting of flags, and to any facili- , ties being granted to Navy League lecturers. It demanded either that this should cease or that representatives of the New Zealand Labour Party should have equal opportunity to place its viewpoint before the children. Tho following remit from the Shirley Committee was received :—That steps be taken to have incorporated in the School Journal articles dealiog with the British Navy.”