CIVICS IN SCHOOL.

Shannon News, 7 December 1928, Page 4

CIVICS IN SCHOOL.

LABOUfe ALLEGATIONS.

HEADMASTER’S REFUTATION

ACCEPTED BY COMM ITT EE

The following letter was bv the School Committee at their meeting last evening:—“lt has been brought under the notice ot the Shan non branch of the » Labour 1 art, that the headmaster, Mr White, has been making caustic and sarcastic remarks to the children under his ehaigc about the Labour Forty and supporters of same, even going so far as to •term all its supporters as mad. \ have been instructed to write jou the above as we as a party, bene c that Mr White exceeded his duties m preaching party politics to children in his charge.—-C. P. .Grey,: the Shannon, branch ot the N.Z. La ) ° U to the chairman, as to whether he would like to say anything about the letter, Mr White said he had several courses open to ■ him. (1) * - (could take no. notice ot the letter as It was beyond the jurisdiction of the School Committee; (2) He could make, a statement; (3) He could ask the writer to name his accusers and to duce 'the evidence of his accusers. But he did not wash to prolong the matter and would make a simple statement. His first point in making his statemen. was that the; accusation was not correct, the whole thing was.not correct. •It was part of his duty to talk about civics with his pupils, but no party

was ever sorted out for comparison. Secondly, the statement was obviously (far fetched and it was beyond, his comprehension, that information carried by children could be distorted td. such an extent. As, regards his supposed filings against the Labour , Party, he could, inform them that on two separate occasions he had supported thei party. So it'could not be said that he had anything special against the party. The school sylla bus stated that part of a teacher’s duty was to talk about civics. He always strived hard to instil love .of thencountry in children,, but as far as di* reeling them, how to vote was concerned such ; a thing was never in his mind. “I do say, however, there are those who try to destroy oiir Em-, pire and they should always think we(l. before casting their vote in a way that, is likely, to bring such a thing, about. ’* He then pointed out parts of the syllabus dealing with such matters. In .ponelqsion. he said, the remark that lie had classed all the heads of the Labour Party as being made was absurd and was not worth touching upon, apart from the fact: that..he had never made such a state-

ment. • , " Mr Hill said that knowing Mr White as they all did, the letter was abso lutely uncalled for and was only an ex-

aggeration.. Mr- Coate i did not agree that the letter was an exaggeration. He said certain rumours were going round the town. The words Avere told to the secretary and he put in the letter. The party had the right to find out if a uything ha,d beent isai(d § gainst fthem. His oAvn girl- had told him that Mr White had talked about Avar and that

if the Labour Party got into power •no one would be sept - to the war. Questioned later she had told him that she had not heard Mr White say the Labour PaftyDvas mad. Mr, Christian said his bone of contention Avas that tfiij letter was dealt Avith before if came before the com mittec.' How was it, he asked that it AVas not dealt'rwith by the committee' •Before being broadcasted over the town. ' • “ >. , The chairman sgCicl that he received the letter on 'Monday and after read ing it sent it along to Mr White as he considered it was only- fair to him that he should see it. So far as broadcasting the contents that was done by the Labour Party’s secretary (Mr Christian: “Ivdispute ,this. It Avas read by Mr White at the school prior to comirg (before the Committee.’’

The Chairman: A lot of correspondence is dealt with before it comes before the committee, and if you have not got faith in your chairman, well it is time for him to get out. Mr White -said it Avas his fault. The statement had struck him as so obviously unfair that he -had read it. to the school agd in one accord the children had said “No! ” The chairman • Avas right and the only thing, he, the speaker, was sorry about was putting the chairman in this position. After hearing Mr White’s explanation. the chairman in reply to Mr Christian said he would withdraw (his statement blaming the secretary fo: broadeasting the contents /of, the letter.

The chairman said he did not think the Committee would have 6 any hesitation in accepting. Mr White’s; explanation and on his motion it was accepted and the letter was received.