THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, DEC. 21, 1894. Chairman’s Casting Vote.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 801, 21 December 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, DEC. 21, 1894. Chairman’s Casting Vote.

The exercise by the Chairman of the North Canterbury Education Board of both his deliberative and casting votes to defeat the motion of Mr Joyce regarding the proposed appeal to Committes respecting corporal punishment upon girls attending State Schools tn this Educational district is an illiberal use of power. Mr Joyce, finding the Board going back upon its decision curtailing the punishing powers of School teachers, sought the adoption of a very fair and proper course in his desire to appeal to the people, or, rather, to the source of the Board’s existence. His motion embodied the principle of the ‘ Referendum,’ and it would have been interesting and instructive to have obtained the result of a modified adoption of the system of recourse to the fountain head. The Chairman, however, appeared to fear the consequences of Mr Joyce’s appeal thereto. Why ? If the majority of School Committees and parents in the North Canterbury district approve of girls over twelve years of age attending the State Schools in this division receiving corporal punishment at the hands of the head teachers the Chairman would have had his position strengthened in obtaining replies to that effect. If, on the other band, the majority are averse to such being allowed then has he defeated the wishes and the will of the true dominant force. This is, of course, in direct antogonism to the first principles of Liberalism. It is to be regretted that such a step should have been taken by a Liberal, and one presiding over an Education Board. To be refused trial of the Referendum at the hands of such a functionary is exceedingly disappointing. Verily there is Liberalism and Liberalism,