SALUTING THE FLAG.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1892, 19 October 1918, Page 3

SALUTING THE FLAG.

QUAKER TEACHER’S OBJEC-

TION

BOARD’S MEDDLED MEDLEY

A peculiar impasse occurred at the meeting of the Wanganui Education Board on Wednesday. Mr Johlin had given notice of motion to rescind a motion accepting the resignation of Hugh Goldsbnrv, a teacher, who, being a Quaker, respectfully refused lo instruct the children lo salute the Hag. The Acting-Chairman (Mr Eraser), intimated that he had Liken the advice of the Board’s solicitor, who was of opinion That the resignation having been accepted the notice of motion Wits invalid. Ho therefore refused to put (ho notice lo Iho meeting. Air Freelh said he disagreed with the opinion, and moved (hat the Acting-Chairman’s ruling he disagreed with. The ActingChairman refused to pul I he mot ion. Mr Erecth then moved that the Acting Chairman leave the chair. Air Mclntyre then raised a point of order' that the proceedings of the Board were invalid, inasmuch as the meeting had been irregularly convened. His point was (hat the notice convening the meeting iixed it for 7.15 p.m., whereas the Board had commenced its proceedings at 3.30. It was decided to consult the Board’s solicitor on the point: raised. It was pointed out that the Board had merely been following out a practice instituted ten years ago. After a long discussion with the solicitor on the telephone, the Board resumed. Afr Erecth suggested as a way out of the impasse that the Board should proceed with its business as if properly constituted (leaving the technical point in abeyance) and that the Chairman should permit a motion to lie moved in regard to correspondence which was on the file from the Emnninri Committee and Afr Goldsbnrv. This was agreed 10. After a warm debate in which some members contended that any teacher who would not obey the Board’s instructions should be dismissed, and others contended that in view of the existing statutes no board had a right to impose a religious test on a teacher or public servant, the following resolution proposed by Air Freoth, and seconded by Air Mclntyre, was carried by 5 voles to T: “That in view of Hugh Goldsbnry’s hitherto valuable services to the Board, he be reinstated in the Board’s employment at the termination of his present engagement at Umnmnri on the application of Air Goldsbnrv, and that he be informed that in the interests of harmony and good order it is desirable that he shall refrain from introducing controversial matters of any kind into the lessons presented to ids scholars, as alleged bv the (Jmumuri Committee, and admitted by Air Goldsbury in his written statement to the Board.” Air Collins immediately gave notice to rescind the motion. —Times.