N.Z. EDUCATION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1930, Page 5

N.Z. EDUCATION

THE AUTHOR’S REPLY

(l)y Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, November 19,

Mr A. J, Butchers, the author of “Education in New Zealand” replying to the statements of the members of yesterday’s deputation to Hon. H. Atmore said, they had produced no statistics and offered no figures in support of their contentions that his warning was based on erroneous, illogical and unscientific deductions. He was pleased the womens organisations had taken the matter up. Once the women of New Zealand were thoroughly aroused as to the facts he felt they would move Heaven and earth to make him a false prophet, and it they succeeded no one would be more pleased than himself. It was an absurd matter if it should be discussed as if it concerned only the women of New Zealand. Tn the book he had expressly referred to the probable future of the morality of boys as well as girls. i Apparently Mr Wright M.P. was the only male member of the deputation. He askled what had the men of New Zealand to say about it. Continuing Mr Butchers said the figures relating to the whole field of extra nuptial births, quoted by Hon. Atmore are entirely beside the point. The question was not whether we were better or worse than other countries. He hoped the Government would see fit to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the facts.