NAVY LEAGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1943, Page 2

NAVY LEAGUE

DEBARRED FROM WAIRARAPA COLLEGE DURING SCHOOL HOUftS. 6 BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ DECISION. 1 The Navy League organisation will not be given the opportunity to address pupils at the Wairarapa College during school hours, according to a motion passed at last night’s meeting of the_ College Board. Mr W. R. Nicol, chairman, said that the board had never entertained the idea of the Navy League organisation coming into school during school hours. In reply to a question asked by Mr A. O. Jones, Mr Nicol said that the objections were that if the Navy League were allowed in the Red Cross, the Army and the Air Force, all worthy organisations would also have to be allowed in. Mr Jones said that various speakers had been allowed into the school to give talks. Why not the Navy League? he asked. When there was peace, few “cared a rap” about the Navy or the Army, yet in war time the value ofi'. the services was appreciated. Mr ' Jones said he doubted if the talks which had been given by speakers at the College were of as much value to the Empire as those for the Navy League would be. Mr Nicol’said that speakers came to the college to enlighten the children. The talks were free and the children were not asked to pay anything. The Navy League speakers asked the children to join the organisation at a cost of Is per head. Mr Jones contended that the objects of the Navy League were more valuable than the subjects of the talks given by people who had spoken at the College. Mr J. G. McFarlane: “The Navy League organisation is on the lines of a Trade Union secretary’s work. The more enrolments the better for the organiser.” Mr F. C. Daniell said he wished to challenge Mr Jones’s statement that when there was peace few cared about the Army or the Navy. Mr Jones should be more careful in making such statements, he said. After further discussion it was decided not to invite a Navy League representative to address the children at the College during school hours.