SCHOOL TEACHERS AND WAR SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 5

SCHOOL TEACHERS AND WAR SERVICE

LIVELY DISCUSSION IN DUNEDIN OTAGO BOARD’S ATTITUDE (Press Assn.) Dunedin, Sept. 18 There was a lively discussion at today’s meeting of the Otago Education Board when a motion was brought forward by Mr. W. M. Cooper, to the effect that no person refusing to take bis part in the defence of the Empire should be employed as a teacher in any public school, and that boar U should be given power to dismiss any teacher refusing to comply with the Defence Regulations, and who. on grounds of conscientious objection, claimed exemption from service. Board members generally expressed themselves as being opposed to conscientious objectors, but an amendment was carried that the matter should be deferred until the Government's policy for the Dominion was declared. The chairman, Mr. James, said he had some doubt about accepting the motion, but he thought. Mr. Cooper was quite right in putting it. “There is nothing in the motion which loyal and patriotic citizens of this country can fail to support,” declared Mr. N. Colquhoun, seconding the motion. Mr. Wallace: I question that. “We all agree with the principle,” said Mr. Cameron, “but I think the motion is ill-advised.” The motion referred to the conscientious objector who claimed exemption, and they would thus prejudice his case before it was heard by the legal procedure of the country. A man had a perfect right to claim exemption. This was a free country.

He moved that considerat’on be deferred until the Government had declared its policy. Mr. Cooper asked Mr. Cameron whether, in the event of a tribunal upholding an appeal, he would agree that the teacher should continue to teach the children of soldiers, “Will you answer that?” queried Mr Cooper. Mr. Cameron: No, I will rot answer that, question.

The chairman said he had a certain amount of sympathy with man who was a genuine conscientious objector, but he had no sympathy with his being a teacher with those objections. If a man would give service to the State in another way, then he should have an opportunity of doit’s so. “I am with the mover and seconder of the motion right up to th? hilt." said Mr. Wallace, “but I am not wit” them in moving it here, at this time." The amendment was carried by 5 votes to 4.