PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14592, 16 February 1921, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but fur whose views we have no responsibility. MR F. A. de la MARE ON THE NEW ZEALAND WELFARE LEAGUE. (To the Editor.'Sir, —Just a brief note in reply to Mr (.!•• la Marc’s letter of the 3rd hist. Uim reading of Sir Robert Stout’s statementbefore llio University Senate is that the Chancellor contended it was undesirable to appoint an avowed revolutionary as a tutor to an educational body. The i;ueslion of whether the person advocated revolution by physical force was not the main question. The Chaneello. - no doubt viewed this Issue from other loan a purely academic point ol view, and we cannot see how it can be divorced in the minds of practical men from what is now taking place within lb. ■ iiiitish Empire. Mr de la Mare stresses (he question of the non-advocacy of ■physical force,” but be must bo aware teat most advocates ol national anu social revolution disavow any desire to effect the change by means of physical force; It should be recognised that ap l't als to blind passion which rouse a r-jlirit of hatred may ultimately produce the same physical results as a direct physical assault. When we observe tin present social stale ol India and of Ireland, together with the much-disturbed h duslrial conditions in Ureal Britain and ipe Dominions, it surely ought to be a matter of deep concern that any who a"- charged with the great responsib lily of educators shall not lean towards the overturning of the British (.(institution. The matter cannot be. regarded as one of mere abstract reasoning or the differences id’ opinion of

schoolmen. The League would not object to a tutor setting forth the doctrines of Marx or even Malalesla. What we have contended is that no person cap he a sound teacher who is obsessed with the passion of a partisan advocate Mr do la Mare says our statements are pernicious, but presents no evidence in proof of Ills assertion. Ihe League affirmed that the tutor in question voiced contradictory views and prcscnle i proof which lias not been challenged. Appeals to class passion are most pernicious and dangerous at this time, and those who indulge in that sort of plav cannot expect to he respected, no matter what positions they occupy. Wc do not wish to have tutors bound to leuci under the direction of any political party. All we look for is that teachers, as well as all others, shall be bound by the rule of fair play, that they shall not live i y the constitution of their country and ai the same time work for its subverh!on. This should not restrict anyone in

expressing their honest convictions of reforms needed, tint it would clearly distinguish between the leaching of science and the advocacy of personal or party creeds. Mr do la Mare says he lias a rooted suspicion of propaganda unless its authority rests on Us author’s character ;nd ability. May we ask him what difference it makes as to the truth that, two and two make four who says so’.’ We remember the late Judge Dennistovi saying, with ids gentle humour, that he was strongly biassed—in favour ot the evidence. If Mr dc la Mare will coniine himself to that form of bias he may gel rid of his rooted suspicions. The reason why the League publishes impersonally is that it desires to have dala end reasoning considered on whatever merits these possess. A wise judge hears evidence, not persons. The anllmrily of truth is neither in the in dividual nor organisation, making the statement, hut in the nature of Hu; statement made. Mr dc la Mare says “be had hoped the Welfare Lea cue. would servo a good purpose”: surely he must recognise lli.it it is doing so, : f only in eliciting so much public discussion of imporlant questions.—l am, etc., ARTHUR 1L HARDER. Secretary.

TIME INDICATION. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Some lime ago I, as secretary o! the Ilorsliam Downs branch of the 'I./. Farmers’ Union, wrote the manager of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Ltd.. Horoliu, asking him, if possilde, to give the following hla.-ds on the steam" whistle at the works there, viz.: Dm; idast at 7.H0 a.nl. and two blasts at * a.m., one blast at 12 no m and two blasts at I p.m., thus enabling farmers in the surrounding district t > iliscern between those particular hours. Mr Spiers, chief engineer at the works has written me to the following et'fec:; •■] am instructed by onr superintendent to say that we will have a loudersounding whistle pufin, in place of tlm me we have at present, when we wi t he pleased to blow it as you request.”— 1 am, etc., .INU. Ltd I 11. Xgaruawahia, February 11, 11121. Children contract stubborn coughs vdiicli mothers sometimes llnd very dlfllcult to overcome. 'l'he first sle- 1 should be to ease the throat and relieve the inflammation, and for tins purpose one Pulmona should be given, repealing as necessary. W hen dis solved in the mouth, Uulrnonas liberate tonic vapours which clear the throat, soothe the delicate inflamed membranes, and —(lie cough goes. One at. bedtime prevents coughing hi the night. Of chemists Is Gd and ‘ls fid a box, or sent post free to your home on receipt of pric by Stacey Bros., Box 882, Auckland