SALUTING THE FLAG.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1892, 19 October 1918, Page 2

SALUTING THE FLAG.

AT the September meeting of the Wanganui Education Board the resignation of a Quaker teacher in a country school was accepted on the grounds that he could not ask (he children to salute the Jlag in military fashion on special occasions, but was prepared to give a cheer instead. The teacher held that saluting the flag was a military performance, and conflicted with his religious belief. The committee also objected to certain views of the teacher as expressed to Hie scholars touching conquered territory. The statements carried from children to parents and committee were a little coloured, and the feaclier, who lias a good record, was proclaimed a pro-German, and so on. The Board was divided as to accepting the teacher's resignation, and finally, on the casting vote of the nclingChairmah, I lie teacher's resignation was accepted. Notice of motion was immediately given (hat the Board's resolution he rescinded. At last meeting of the Board the aet-ing-Chairnian refused to allow the motion to lie put, and then followed a heated discussion, in which the legality of the Board’s meetings were questioned. A resolution Avas subsequently passed by live to four reinstating the teacher, upon his own application, in the Board’s service, and requesting him to refrain from introducing controversial matters of any kind into (lie lessons presented to his scholars. The point about (he Avhole thing is that no teacher should lie alhrwcd to defy the Board’s regulations. As a State instil id ion every child should be taught to reverence (lie Hug for wbat it symbolises, and if a teacher’s religious or conscientious objections coiilliel with such procedure lie is better out of (he service, provided, of course, the Board acts constitutionally. The Quaker teacher's cause of offence was that he favoured a cheer instead of a military salute to (he, dag. He carried out the ceremony Avitii (his distinct ion, and it is further shown that he is not a disloyal subject. The Board in future should (dearly dcline the ceremony of saluting (he Hag and so remove any misuiiders! andings.