Objection to Pamphlet

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1922, Page 4

Objection to Pamphlet

PROPAGANDA Al. DEG ED. I’ROTEST I? V .MODERATE I,lf AG UK. , YvEI.I.iXGTOX, May 23. A deputation of the Xew Zealand Moderate League waited upon the .Minister of Health and Education today to protest against Hie wording, esp chilly from a scientific point ol view, Education Report No. Ik "Alcohol in Relation to the Human Hud v a ml Mind.’ ’,|Y D. M. I incllay, president of Hie League, stated that in regard to the tcacdiing of temperance in schools, and (ho principles laid down by the Mmi--tci himself in connection with the limiter, members of the league were m cm tiro approval. They Imd always approved of tea tiling temperance m schools. He maintained, however, that in its wording pamphlet No. 13. was not truly scientific, nor accurate. Viimphlet No. 13 referred to Horsley and St urge’s work. The report ot the Hritisb Kcicntifie Advisory Hoard (specially set up to ascertain the exiling state of scientific- knowledge on this sithject) made no recognition cn the work of Horsley and Stuigr, though the c-ontribitlions ol numerous other" investigators were quoted. Pumnhh't No. 13 went far beyond the declarations contained in the report of ihc Hritisb Scientific Advisory Hoard. The education pamphlet said: ‘‘lt aiiisi be emphasised that alcohol causes weakening of self-control and therefore of real power, and that this is true even of small ch.-es.” That and other sentences of the education report bad the effect of a slur on those who might take alcohol m moderation ■ I say,'’ added Mr Eindlay, “that iliis pamphlet- undoubtedly holds up to cl is respect- in tin* minds of cveiy clnU their parents, if those pa,mils are known by the children to make even a moderate' use of alcohol. The* ?!inisic-r icuiarkcd that lie u.u Mot blink that was a fair dedlle-tnni from the teaching of Ih.e pamphlei. M,- Kim'lav said the Moderate I,.ague suggested that the pamphlet should ho withdrawn and revised. The lion ('. J. Rung replying, said that ill ■ question of the sen nti.fie prepriety or otherwise of the pamphlet was not n new erne. It cropped uj la t vear when the cxc-.piion to it. "This report.” h' continued, '‘which is one of a sere-

by 1 lie Education Department with regard to diet and drink, was prepared in 1 f)10. It bad been in ihe schools for some time, it was lor Ike use of teachers in giving instruction. The, Prohibition Party had nothing what- . ovei to do wirli it. It was pi .pa red j hv the Schc;ol Medic.'.! .‘•ervic-e and > i-civod tlie e,ireful supen isiou unit approval of the senior doc tors ol the Health Department, ft attempts 1" put in conc ise' scientific torm I lie ins’ruction regarding ihe eifects ot alcohol that was contained in the syllabus as far hack as 1901. It must not he forgotten that this teaching was an essential part of the curriculum lor tlie \ the' more 1 permanent structure in web- [ established centres of population, with ! ; (lie safeguard mentioned above, is regarded as cheaper in the end. mid certainly provides much more oum'irliib'e and hygienic conditions for both the pupils’ and the staff. The advantage of having a building affording greater elasticity where conditions are liable to change is recognised, and this has been met by the movable, and easily extensible building designed by tilo Department. past thirty years. 1 am assured by officers of tiic Health Department that there is no statement in the pamphlet that is not scientifically I lie pamphlet Ims the imprimatur if Health Department upon it, and picsumablv iliis Depott*llol3l i's f |uii (> inl " partial, therefore, until it can lm sliowti me that, according to modern science iis , statement of the ease is scientifically . unsound. 1 sac no n f-e-sity ior acii'iiii on my part.” | Tlio Minister said the- Antonionis ol the deputation would receive his eon- ' sideratinn, and he would give a nnnj 1 i di'taili'd reply to Ihc* c-, itirisms which had l.ce'ii advanced. . , , Dr l.’rengley and Mr .lolirt t augliley ! also spoke in explanation ui the pam- ■ phlet.