MR BUTCHERS’ BOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1930, Page 3

MR BUTCHERS’ BOOK

AUTHOR REPLIES TO WOMEN. ißy Telegraph—Per Press Association.i WELLINGTON, November 23. A reply to statemets made- by tin deputation of women which waited upon the Minister of Education yesterday, was made by Mr A. G. Butchers, author of the book “Education in New Zealand,” the contents of which inspired the deputation. He said that although the members of the deputation had argued that his warning was based on erroneous, illogical and unscientific deductions, they had produced no statistics and offered ..no .figures in support of that contention. Referring to certain passages to which strong exception was taken by the deputation Air Butchers said be was pleased that the women’s organisations had taken the matter up. Once the women of New Zealand were thoroughly aroused as to the facts he felt sure they would move heaven and earth to make him a false prophet, and if they succeeded in doing that no one would be more pleased than himself, but it was absurd that this matter should be discussed as if it concerned only the women of New Zealand.

In bis book he had expressly referred to the probable future morality of boys as ivell as girls. If, therefore, the statement made in his book was defamatory to the girlhood and womanhood of New Zealand, it was surely no less defamatory to its boyhood and manhood, yet, Mr Wright ivas apparently the only male member of the deputation. What had the men of New Zealand to say about it?

■ One would have thought, said Mr Butchers, that this would have been the first point made by the women’s deputation. It certainly was “a terrible indictment,” as -one woman had said, but it was an indictment of New

Zealand manhood as well as womanhood aud as the author of the book lie wished to make that clear, even though the women’s deputation had not done so.