German Piano for Foxton School.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 5 December 1918, Page 3

German Piano for Foxton School.

The piano at the Foxton State School was destroyed in the recent fire. At a meeting of the Committee held shortly after a, piano was offered for sale. It was of German make and practically new and til l © price was £40. An expert reported that the piano was in good condition and an instrument of this standing would cost how from £80 to £85. At the October meeting it was decidled to purchase the piano if the expert report was favourable. At Monday night's meeting however Mr Kel low moved, to rescind this motion, stating he did not think the Committee for patriotic reasons should al-" low a German piano, in the school. Mr Perreau. seconded the motion. ■Mr MoMurray said he supported the motion. It would be scandalous for the children to sing "God Save the King" accompanied by a German piano. After all we had passed through it would be discreditable for the Committee to allow a German-made piano to be purchased for the school. Mr Martin opposed the motion. The war had not been waged against Ger-man-workmen. It would be fitting that a German piano .should 'be made to play "God Save the King" and other patriotic airs. If lie thought the children were to bo taught to look down upon the German people who were not responsible for the war. then 'he would take his children from the school. He said the piano was not manfactured by Hindenbnrg or the German war-lords. If German goods were not to be purchased, how was Germany to pay her war indemnity. In Foxton they rold German pencils. German formalin tablets and the lighting apparatus was German made. Great Britain was now making arrangements to feed the Germane. The Rev. Mr Bredin opposed the motion. The Committee proposed to buy a piano from a citizen of New Zealand not from a German firm. It would be wrong and un-Christian to teach our children to hate the German people. In order to aspist Germany to. pay oompen sation it would be necessary to buy German goods. It wouldl be a pity to do anything to maintain bitterness against th« Germ an people. The headmaster (iMt L. Furrie) said he would like to express his opinion on the matter. Rev. Mr Bredin objected to the head teacher expressing 'his opinion. This was a committee matter ana the committee could settle its own business. The Chairman i=aid the head teacher could be heard! if the Committee were unanimous. As this (was not the case lie regretted that he oould not be heard. Mr Furrie said what was the use of him being asked to attend the Committee meetings if he was not allowed to speak. ' The Chairman said the teacher was able to advise the Committee on many matters, and personally he was pleased to see him in attendance at meetings, but in a controversial matter of this kindi, unless the Committee was unanimous lie oould not altar htm to speak. Mr Furrie asked that a minute be made of his objecti<ti, and added thatpublic opinion would be against a German made piano going into th^flphlOol. The motion was the put and lost by six votes to three. Messrs MoMurray and Kellow then , tendered their resignation from the Committee as a protest. The Chairman fMr Hornblow) ques- . tionedl whe'tihter the much-dipcussed piano was now for sale and this would not be known until the secretary enquired.