“SHOULD BE SENT TO DESTRUCTOR.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19201, 15 October 1930, Page 11

“SHOULD BE SENT TO DESTRUCTOR.”

STRONG CRITICISM IS LEVELLED AT A BOOK. Per Press Association. NAPIER. October 14. “ The Minister should collar the lot and send them to the destruci tor,” said Mr F. K. de Castro when the Board of Governors of the Napier High School was disen wring the book “ Education in New Zealand,” by A. G. Butcher. The board parsed the following res® lution:— ” That the attention of the Minister of Education l>e drawn to references in the book 4 Education in New Zealand.’ by A. G. Butcher, regarding illegitimacy in the Dominion, and that the boards expresses its great regret that such scandalous statements regarding the young women of New Zealand should appear in a book subsidised by the* Education Department, and that the Minister be asked to take immediate steps to correct untrue and wholly; misleading statements.” The subject was introduced by the Rev J. A. Asher, who drew attention to a scathing review of the book which appeared in the 44 Education Gazette.” This, said Mr Asher, drew attention to inaccuracies which occurred in the book, and also referred to grave charges of immorality which bad been made by Mr Butcher against the young people of the Dominion. The review mentioned that Mr Butcher had said the extent of immorality in New Zealand constituted a serious Wot % on the escutcheon of the educational system of the Dominion, and indicated the need for serious reconsideration of the moral instruction and character training methods employed. It also said that every second girl in the Dominion was immoral, and that the flrst child of every third girl would be conceived out of wedlock. 44 1 like to associate myself with the writer of that article in the ‘ Education Gazette,* both as a New' Zealander and as one whose calling has made him closely associated with the young life of the Dominion for very many years.” said Mr Asher. 44 Our young life, a* far as the purity of our women is concerned, occupies a very high place. I would ask from the depths of my heart that the board repudiate such statements. 1 think it tragic that he should be allowed to publish such a book and to attack the most important thing in, connection with the character of our young women.” It, was pointed out by the secretary of the board, Mr W. L. Dunn, that the book was subsidised by the Department. “ The Minister should collar the lot and send them to the destructor,” said Mr F. K. de Castro, when a suggestion was made by Mr J. Vigor Brown that the attention of the Minister of Education should be drawn to the book, so that he could issue a statement in connection with it.