Concern About Book (Press, 26 February 1977)
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Summary: Concern About Book (Press, 26 February 1977)
A letter to the editor from J. E. Viney, the Secretary of the Concerned Parents' Association, has expressed strong opposition to the inclusion of the book “Down Under the Plum Trees” in high school curricula. Viney specifically criticises Mr Robin Duff, a teacher from Burnside High School, who was quoted as believing that the book could serve as a valuable resource for classroom teaching. The letter underscores a prevailing sentiment among many New Zealanders who advocate for the promotion of stable marriages and sound family life, in stark contrast to what Viney describes as "filthy gutter language" and "pornographic pictures" that purportedly encourage perversion and promiscuity. Viney argues that endorsing such material for educational purposes signals a troubling lack of suitability for educators to address sexual topics. The letter calls upon the Department of Education to be alarmed at Duff’s stance and urges parents to take action by advocating for regulations that would limit the availability of "sex instruction" materials in schools. The matter is positioned as one of urgent importance for the community, reflecting broader concerns about the influence of sexually explicit content in educational settings.
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