SALUTING THE FLAG.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1921, Page 3

SALUTING THE FLAG.

g, CASES OF DISLOYALTY. £ . THE PARENTS BLAMED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 2. The Minister of Education (Mr. C. J. Parr), questioned whether he had come to any decision with regard to children who refuse to salute the flag, said: “A circular has been sent co Education Boards, and will appear in the next issue of the Education Gazette. This intimated that any child who retrains from taking part in patriotic observances must bring a note from his parents stating that it is their wish ‘ that the child shall take no part. Teachers will also be informed that such child should not be exempted directly and should not be allowed to separate himself from other children during any ceremony. The objecting child will simply remain among his fellows inactive. “I feel sure that if teachers tactfully handle this matter the few children concerned will soon bring such pressure to bear on their parents that in the majority of cases they will be allowed to join with the other children, as they most naturally wish to do. Every child loves to join in a ceremony of this kind with his fellows. A parent is really cruel to his child when he instructs him to -stand out. It is the parents who are to blame, not the child, and it would be a mistake to penalise any child because he has wrong-headed parents who persist in staying in New Zealand under the British flag and enjoying all the privileges or British i citizenship, yet are absolutely disloyal, j “Mr. Malcolm’s suggestion that parents should be disfranchised is one that iwe may yet have to consider. The ! best thing, however, is to leave the mat- ! ter largely to the tact of the teach- : ers and the public opinion of the play- | ground. Most of the cases of difficulty will soon disappear. It can then be considered whether in the small number remaining, any action should be taken.”