EDUCATION BOARD CANDIDATES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2200, 13 July 1914, Page 10

EDUCATION BOARD CANDIDATES.

Sir,--I trust you will grant me a little space in your valuable paper to reply to ■ your correspondent "Not. A Candidate," who asks whether a man's opinions on the Bible-in-schools' movement qualifies:'him for a seat on the vacation Board. .Yes, undoubtedly-it.

does, if tlio election is fought on tho issue Bible-in-schools versus secular education, and as a member of the Northland School Committee, I unhesitatingly assert the election is .being fought oil tiiat issue. If such is not tho case, .ttliy were the candidates at tho householders' meetings _ in'tho State schools asked for their views on this burning question ? and 'did not the candidates for elections at the Northland School, both successful and:otherwise, expresschoir views against Bibles in schools, and against, any interference with our secular system? " Of.course they did; but I. call assure our critic that the Northland School Committee had other lcasons for supporting. Professor Hunter and Mr, C. Watson. These two gentlemen, at great inconvenience, gave the committee a personal interview, at which they gave iis a clear and convincing statement of their views, and submitted themselves to a series of. questions for fully three-quarters of an hourj and after this searching ' inquiry we unanimously decided to give them our hearty support. . We. supported them because: 1. They are against Bibles in schools. ,2. Because they are'both capable ami highlyrcxporienced in educational matters, .management, and the training of the young. 3. Because they promised to push for reforms which are sadly needed in our schools. 1 ' . 4. Because they believe physical drill is futile when in many of our: schools the,accommodation is so taxed that the health of children is endangered through overcrowding. . ,j i Lastly, Professor Hunter's . vast experience, not only in "Victoria College, but in other overseas educational centres, and Mr. Watson's almost life i experience (he having been a schoolmaster many, many years) convinces us that tboii are ill a better position to judge (both from the teacher's standpoint,and tho scholar's) their' requirements than commercial men, however estimable they/may be. In conclusion, I.would point out to .vour, correspondent that the Northland School Committee were quite aware'of the position with regard to the Referendum Bill, and that we did not penalise any candidate, and . that, fitness of-tho. gentlemen in Question' was our first' coii- : sideration. Thanking you'in anticipation,—l am. etc., THOMAS E. FOGARTH.