Teachers will take action on `new morality'

BY ROBERT HOARE
A BLISTERING attack on the so-called "new morality" of today as advocated in books, and even by a member of the Education Ministry itself, was made in Bournemouth last week by Mr. E. M. trash of Liverpool in an address to the Catholic Teachers' Federation annual meeting.
Speaking on a resolution which the C.T.F. passed overwhelmingly, and which implied that members would exert pressure on politicians for the introduction of laws to protect children and young people from corrupting influences, Mr. Brash, quoting the Newsom Report. said:
"'It shall he the duty of the local education authority to contribute towards the spiritual, Moral, mental, and physical development of the community', the schools, said Mr. Brash, honestly/ try to discharge their obligations but the success of their efforts is severely handicapped by many factors in the social climate of today."
ADVERTS
He mentioned recent pronouncements by the new moralists" and called attention to the aphrodisaic element in advertising. "Advertisements have an undesirable impact," he said, "day after day, hour after hour, the attractions of numerous commodities can only be put over with the help of attractive young ladies. How", he asked, "can adolescents remain chaste?"
And, he continued, "The very source from which teachers have a right to expect help and encouragement, the Ministry itself, became involved over the Henderson affair.
"Every individual has the right of freedom of speech and opinion but that does not infer the right to corrupt. Rights go hand in hand with duties and those who would form public opinion must do so with a sense of responsibility".
Mr. Harry Dawson, president of , the National Union of Teachers, who was a guest at the conference, indicated that in their efforts against the corruption of young people the C.T.F. could count upon "the overwhelming support of the NUT".
The resolution states: "This conference of Catholic teachers calls on its colleagues in the professional organisations to urge the Minister of Education to take a stand, in the interests of the children in the schools. against the increasing attack on Christian morals. on platform, in literature and by mass media. and to influence the government to use its powers to bring about an improvement in this regard."
Two other resolutions were carried: 1, This conference instructs Council to advise the Minister of Education that, when considering projects for inclusion in the educational building programme. he should take cognisance of the statistics produced by the Newman Demographic Survey showing the steady rise in the Catholic proportion of the child population and make adequate provision in the County building programme for children whose parents wish them to attend Catholic schools.
2. The Catholic Teachers' Federation views with alarm the number of Catholic school buildings not up to the required standard, deplores the adverse publicity and calls on the Minister to speed up the procedure which unduly delays modernisation schemes submitted by School Managers.
The conference was opened by Bishop Holland, coadjutor bishop of Portsmouth. Guests included Mr. R. M. Hall, president of the National Association of Schoolmasters and representatives cf the Catholic Education Council and other bodies concerned with education as well as the mayors of Bournemouth and Poole and local education officers.
Mr. T. M. Hope, headmaster cf Cardinal Wiseman Boys' acnool, Coventry, was installed, as president and Mr. John Doyle. headmaster of All Hallows School, Farnham (Surrey) was elected vice-president.
Mgr. Heen an, LL.D.
The University of Liverpool is to bestow an Honorary Degree of LL.D. on Archbishop Heenan of Westminster. The Archbishop. who was a member of the University Council from 1959 to 1963, will receive his Degree at a Congregation to be held in the Philharmonic Hall. Liverpool, on Saturday, July 4.
Two appeals
BBC appeals: That by Robert Speaight on behalf of the Sons of Divine Providence Homes for the Aged, raised £847; that by Dame Flora Robson for St. David's Home, Ealing, raised £1,605.