ESSAYS ON ALCOHOL.

Shannon News, 23 September 1921, Page 3

ESSAYS ON ALCOHOL.

THE ALLIANCE PROPOSAL. Tiie scheme lor competitive essays on tne ei'lect oi alcohol on the human body and mind, proposed by the N.Z. Alliance, was. the subject oi a letter lrom the Alliance. It was explained that the proposal ban been approveu by tha Euucauon Department, subject to the endorsement ox the jtsoaru. Mr Darkness moved mat the board should support the Department's view ui the mailer; it was useiul education. Mr E. P. Rishworth said that unless a proper scientific ground was given, the educational value ol the scheme was very problematical, and the resulting essays would be crude productions.

Mr A. J. White said he would oppose the motion on the ground that il the JJepartment wanted anything ol the kind to be organised, it should do so itsell, and not leave it to a party organisation. This was the thin end ol a wedge. II permission was granted, and the opposing wanted to take a similar step, could the Board reluse permission? Mr F. H. Bakewell, the Chief Inspector, in reply to Mr Rishworth, said he could not say that the children were receiving “scientific instruction” on alcohol. It was too big a question to expect primary school children to understand in that way. They were supposed to receive instruction on temperance, 'with respect not only to alcohol, but to food as well. Mr E. H. Penny said that the more instruction was given to children on this subject the better, and if any organisation was prepared to provide prizes for essays they should be welcomed. Mr London said he saw no reason to take exception to the proposal. Everything of human interest was, he thought, of interest' and value to children; and as for the controversial nature of the subject, what was not controversial After further discussion the motion approving the scheme and ‘endorsing’ tiie action of the Education Department was carried, no dissenting vote being recorded.