CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1912, 7 December 1918, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —I was much impressed by your sub-leader of Thursday’s issue regarding patriotism, practical and jingoistic. In the first place, when I remember that the mover of the motion,was so patriotic in prewar days that he purchased a German piano, part of the selling price of which was earmarked for the war chest of the “Kaiser,” in preference to a British article, how can lie now expect to be taken seriously when he preferred to contribute his quota to the war chest of the enemy in preference to an article turned out by British workmen? I suppose it was better business, to support a cheaper make than assist a Britisher to make a living. Patriotism, indeed! And when my memory takes me back to a patriotic meeting held in the Masonic Hall, and I see this same patriotic (?) gentleman inviting all and sundry to sign a form and Be heroes, and taking precious cave to keep his own form blank, makes me ponder as jo the reliability of his particular brand of patriotism. Sort of don’t do as I do, but do as I tell you, And now to generalise on (be subject: Tho seconder of the motion vouched iiis disapproval of the majority’s action, and to quote from his hymn of hate re “scandalous” to play God Save the King on a German piano. I have heard him raising a less musical voice in his endeavour to make patriotism heard, although ho did not mind the fact of the tunc being of German origin, and now, after nearly live years of the real stuff, these two patriots have discovered how they hale the Hun, conveniently forgetful of the fact that (here were two British rides with which they could have written their hate in the real red. How can they hope to impress upon (lie people (heir views of patriotism when we have such examples of i( according to their measure. Back on Armistice Night, under the light of a German lamp, the mover of the motion said what heroes the men of the mercantile marine were; yet he is agent for a shipping company (hat employed Germans on (heir ships till a few months ago, add his linn is also agent for a British shipping company that gave preference to German cargo to New Zealand, am! carried it at a cheaper rate limn cargo from British ports, despite (lie fact of having to travel thousand. l * of miles further for the cargo. And furl her, why did he not raise his protest when Von Bcidlitz was made a guest of the country and presented with £BOO of money to enjoy himself •with; and also why did he not protest when a local employer gave his bund for the purpose of employing Germans? And bow long ago is it since he himself paid out wages to a German? And what attitude is ho going to adopt against (he innocent, children of German parents in (Ids town who go to school ? Tomahawk them, 1 suppose. Were we to allow such sentiments into our schools we would lie creating a sentiment: foreign to a true Britisher, and lie adopting a thing which our late enemy has decried. I hope that as these, two patriots have resigned by “mailed list” tactics (bat their successors will support the more broadminded men of the Committee who voted against flic perpetuating of a sentiment of bate. Should be and I quarrel I don’t intend my children to bate his children. 1 am, etc., INTERNATIONAL.

(To the Editor.)

>Sir. —Eollowing a discussion re school affairs, will you be good enough to explain the duties, of committees, and whether committees are responsible to the head teacher for their actions ?—Yours, etc.,

INTERESTED, [THE powers and duties of school committees are fully set out in the Education Act. Briefly, subject to (he general supervision and control of the Board, the committee has the management of the school. The committee is in no way subject to the headteacher. Wo shall be pleased to answer any definite point saltmil ted. —Ed.II. J

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —The following' resolution mid note has boon forwarded to the Secretary of the School Committee; —‘‘Tint) (he shill' of (he school strongly object to (he purchase of o ]iiano of German manufacture.for use in the school, and filso desire to be consulted in the details of furnishing and re-eijnipping the new school.” In connection with the above resolution, I wish to emphasise (hat the proposed action of the Committee is entirely antagonistic to the sentiment of the stall', find'indicates a line of thought which we cannot embody in our teaching.—l am, etc., L. J. EURRIE, Head Master. The Sehoolhouse, Fox ton, 5/12/18.