LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

r*’ * LECTURES TO CHILDREN. TEACHERS’ REQUEST. Permission was not granted at a recent meeting of tho Wellington Education Board for representatives of the League of Nations Council to enter schools for the purpose of addressing children on the work of the league. This decision did not meet with the approval of the Masterton branch of the New Zealand Women Teachers’ Association, for in a letter received at the last meeting of the board, the branch considered that all children should be imbued with the alms and ideals of world peace, and submitted that the matter was prescribed' in the syllabus as one of importance, and that lectures on the subject given by competent lectures Would be quite within the comprehension of senior pupils who had no difficulty In comprehending the aims and Ideals of tempeuance or of the Navy ...League, as set forth by the visiting lecturers on these subjects. The branch considered further that as many of tho children, in country districts especially, did not proceed to secondary schools, it would be of great advantage to them to hear outside lecturers on the subject—-thus adding .point and emphasis to the work of the teachers In carrying out the instructions as set forth in the syllabus. If world peace was ever to be secured, the work muct be begun in the primary schools, and the branch would ask that further consideration be given the matter, and that if any leoturers must be excluded, and some of necessity nrtrst, that at least lecturers on the work of the League of Nations — the most Important work for peace—be not denied access to the children. “Made a Mistake.” Mr W. H. Jackson said that he thoroughly endorsed those remarks. He was sure that-the board made a mistake in shutting out League of Nations lecturers from the schools. •Mr T. W. McDonald hoped that the board would reconsider its previous decision. He would say that' of all the questions facing the world to-day the question of making the League of Nations more effective was the most important. He hoped that the board -would give real and serious consideration before turning down the request of the Masterton women teachers. What harm could be done? If it was not beyond the intelligence of- pupils to listen to lectures on temperance or the Navy League, surely it was not beyond their general intellectual capacity io listen to lectures on a question of such world-wide importance—tho work of the League of Nations. Matter for Teaohors. Mr A. C. Blake could not see why teachers could not leach the subject —it. certainly was in the syllabus under Hie subject of civics. Teachers j knew exactly how to present such I mailers lo the children, ami outside j lecturers often talked over their i heads. The chairman, Mr T. Forsyth, said j that instruction on Itin work of the ■ League of Nations was already being given by the Icaelicrs, and if so. was it necessary to get outside, people? j Mr W. D. Pike considered that the ; board bad made a mistake, and gave notice that he would move at Hie next , meeting that the previous motion be rescinded, and that leeluros on the work of liie League of Nations bo permitted in tiie schools.