TEMPERANCE EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8122, 30 May 1906, Page 4

TEMPERANCE EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.

ME SEDDON'S VIEWS. Early in the month Mr James Stewart, of Duuedin, wrote to Mr S< d lon suggesting that lie, a s Minister of Educition, should iitroduee into the public schools a really adequate scientific systom of teachin; whereby the yoi n; people of the country should correctly understand the effects of alcohol on tho human system. In the course of his roply, tlio Premier stated: " There is no man in the colony more earnest in his desire than myself to prevent the abuse of alcoholic stimulants, and to keep its sale and control within proper limits. The Statute Book of the colony to-day demonstrates

V; ; ii- ntestablo fact. In tho countries you have quoted in your letter, they are far behind Now Zealand in this respect ; in fact from the lips of your own temperance orators and leaders it is invariably stated by them, when outs ide the colony, that we have here the most advanced laws in the world tor the sale and control of alcoholic liquor?, As head of tho Government during the time that this advanced legislation was passed perhaps you will be prcp.i.Yil 1) admit that some little credit m giit be given to me in respect there, to. In respect to what you term rightly an adequate, scientific system for teaching, so that the young of this cjlony may be fully seized of the result of alcoholic abuse, as you arc a vav this is a matter winch rests entirely with the bjard i of education. The schools are not controlled by the central diyirtincnt.", but by the boards of education, and I believe rightly so. It s to the boards that your efforts should be directed. In fact, if you will make yourself acquainted with the syllabus, you will find that whit you are asking for has been already provided, and I am therefore pleased to know that the iiil auguration of" such teaching in our public schools would do much good and prove more b.-n li.vnt than the mmy reforms which h ive been passed and carried into effect during the past fourteen years. I hope after perusal of this, aud making yourself acquainted with the real position, that you will now withdraw the statement made that the practice of the Premier is not in harmony with his pr f ssions."