TEMPERANCE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 November 1915, Page 8

TEMPERANCE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS.

DEPUTATION TO HON. J. A. HANAN. A deputation comprising Mrs. Douglas, Revs. A. B. Chappell, F. Hale, Messrs C. E. Bellringer, R. C. Hughes, W. Ambury, and G. H. Maunder waited on the Minister of Education (Hon, J. A. Hanan) last night, in connection with the scientific teaching of temperance in schools. Before the deputation spoke, the Minister said that this was a subject in which all should be interested, as it was necessary to educate the children, not only to be democratic, but to be sober. It was a subject which should appeal to all right-thinking people, whether moderate or no-license. He read a circular which he had recently issued to all education boards, and which, he thought, should have a good effect, showing that his sympathies were with the deputation. The circular said, inter alia, that lie believed that one of the most effective means of inducing and fostering temperance and sobriety in the community was instruction in scientific temperance in schools as an integral part of the prescribed lessons in health. He was quite aware that the importance of temperance teaching had not been overlooked in the past, but he was convinced that much more might be done. In a great measure the means were at their disposal, as some time ago three temperance charts had been issued to schools, with the sanction and approval of education boards, but it had"been brought under his notice that in some instances these had. not been placed upon the walls of schoolrooms; or else had been hung in inconspicuous places. He suggested that education boards should consider the desirability of informing teachers that the charts must be given a prominent place and are to be regularly used, particularly in the upper classes, in connection with lessons on the economic, moral, and physical aspects of intemperance. He also looked to inspectors of schools to lend their able asistance, indeed he looked to all those connected with education, whether directly in the schoolroom or less directly in "administrative capacities, to aid in receiving for our children, who are our future citizens, an intelligent appreciation of the personal benefits to be derived from temperance and self control, and a' full recognition of the far-reaching importance of these in the formation of national character and the growth of national fitness.

Rev. A. B. Chappell, in thanking the Minister, stated that the deputation were gratified to know that the Minister was thoroughly alive to the need of Such teaching. The stress of the present struggle emphasised more than ever the national need of tempera'nee teaching. Re was pleased with what had already been done, but considered that the chart's might be brought more definitely' up-to-date, and the subject trea'ted, not in an exhaustive, but in a practical manner. After din".'" - last night, a number of deputations waited on the Minister at the White Hart Hotel.' Mr. H .J. Okey, M.P., who intiodueed the deputations, welcome Mr. Hunan on his first Ministerial visit to the district, mid also took the opportunity of congratulating the National Cabinet on the outcome of the dotation of the loan, which had just been raised. While there were many who thought it would be subscribed, tlir-p. were not any sanguine enough to think that it would have been so much over-subscribed.

Hon. J. A. I-lanan said thak lie wag pleased to visit the district, so as to obtain a knowledge of it; educational requirements and work. To-day, lie hoped to see what had been done in various parts of the district. The loan flotation was indeed a. matter for congratulation, as it showed what a wonderful country New Zealand was, and what re,sources it had, and he hoped it would still further show that it was self-reliant and self-contained.