The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity” WELLINGTON, MAY 1, 1948. EXTRACT FROM A CHRISTCHURCH DAILY PAPER, MARCH, 1948

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 4, 1 May 1948, Page 4

The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity” WELLINGTON, MAY 1, 1948. EXTRACT FROM A CHRISTCHURCH DAILY PAPER, MARCH, 1948

More Spiritual and Moral Teaching in all Schools is urged on Committees. The necessity for provision being made in schools, as the most important institution in the land after the home, for more definite teaching of a moral and spiritual nature was urged by the President (Mr. J. D. Gray, of Christchurch) in his annual address to the conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Associations tbir morning. The purpose of this would be to enable the youth to assess the true values of life, he said. “Amid the clash and din of contending ideologies in the world today, there is the growing conviction that if the freedom-loving countries are to preserve their natural identity and liberty, they will have to be more alive to the growing menace of dictatorship,” he said. Much could be done to defeat this threat in New Zealand by instructing the youth of the country in the principles on which the democratic way of life was formed—the sanctity of human life, tolerance towards one’s neighbour, tespect for the property of others, and the \alue of human personality.

Training Held Important. The children were the future leaders of the nation, and training would determine the quality of their leadership. An educational system which did not introduce the pupil to moral and spiritual values failed to educate in the fullest sense. The federation should have this omission rectified by insisting that in the proposed amending Education Bill provision should be made for the teaching of Christian ethics. Mr. Gray thought that the teaching in the schools in regard to temperance was of a perfunctory character, but it was gratifying that the Education Department in its submissions to the Royal Commission on Licensing had suggested that pamphlets be prepared stating the latest scientific findings on the social effects of alcohol. "We recommend that the pamphlet contain specific reference to the effects of over-indulgence in alcohol, and that an officer of the Department ascertain from time to time whether such teaching is being given.’’ Citizenship Development He urged that the schools -should give a much fuller inoral and spiritual education and should play a greater part in the development of good citizenship, Mr. Ggay said that the appointment of the Hon. T. H. McCombs as Minister of Education was generally approved by educational circles as the new Minister brought special capabilities to his task. Mr. Gray urged that they Jiould press for immediate planning bv the Department so that necessary accommodation would be available to meet the increased demands that could be expected. Mr. W. J. Wilson (Wellington) said that he would not like the impression to go out that they were weakening on the general question of religious teaching in the schools. He felt that there was also a danger in too mam subsidies being granted by the Government as school bodies were most vigorous when they had to obtain amenities the hard way. Mr. Gray said that he did not intend that the Government should provide everything, but that it should provide

the equipment necessary for the teaching of all the subjects in the curriculum. A Committee to consider the recommendations of the report was set up as follows: Mrs. H. McGilip, Messrs A. T. Dow. W. J. Wilson, Gray, T. C. Bait and Trewin.