national peace council

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 298, 10 September 1921, Page 6

national peace council

EDUCATION BOARD REFUSES ADMISSION TO SCHOOL. By Telegraph —Press Association. Christchurch, September 9. An application from the National Peace Council for permission to address children in tho schools and to form branches of the Peace League was refused by the Canterbury Education Board at Its meeting to-aay. A deputation, headed by Mr. C. R. Mackie; the secretary of the council, waited on ihe board following upon n letter in jwhich the former body outlined its aims. Ihe board defined its attitude in the following resolution“ That while tho board is mindful of tho untold blessings that would result from universal and stable peace, and is earnestly desirous that the endeavours of the League of Nations may bring such jxeace within a measurable distance, it cannot regard with approval, or even equanimity, the propaganda of a body that at a time of imminent peril merely took up an attitude of benevolent but nevertheless dangerous neutrality, which, had it been shared by the majority of the peopla, would have spelt disaster to the British' Empire and deprived her citizens of that freedom which all unbiased persons recognise they enjoy under tho present constitutional government; and that therefore the board cannot accede to the request preferred by the National Peace Council. The Peace Council, in its letter, stated that a Children’s Peace League in NevZealand was being formed, and it asked for an assurance that no unnecessary obstacle would bo placed in the way of the council’s addressing children axxd forming branches of the Pence League in schools, also expressing a. hope that I nocouncil had the good-will of the board in approaching school committees ann seeking tltein active cooperation and Vheir consent to use school buildings.