MARRIED WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 11

MARRIED WOMEN

TEACHING PKOFESSION PRINCIPLE OPPOSED (From Our Own Correspondent.) NELSON, 17 th March. At the February meeting of the Ncl--Bon Education Board three months' notice of tho termination of" her engagement was given to a country female teacher who had recently married tho teacher of an adjoining school, but had continued in her profession. At the same time, the board passed a resolution urging the Government to give boards discretionary power in the employment of female married teachers. At this month's meeting of the board notice was received that the Educational Institute was taking up the matter on behalf of the teacher concerned. Tho secretary reported in connection with teachership vacancies at the provious meeting that a deputation from the local branch of the institute had waited on him asking the reason why it had been decided to readvertise certain positions. He had informed the deputation that the reason was that a number of married women were among the applicants, and that the board was desirous, if possible, not to appoint married women. The deputation was given an assurance that it was not lack of qualifications on the part of the applicants, but because they were married women. ... The secretary added that there wore fifteen certificated teachers in the board's district out of employment at present. Mention was made of the fact that a number of teachers recently out of the training college could not be placed in positions. Mr I1 W. O. Smith reiterated that the board should have discretionary powers regarding the employment of married women teachers. The yearly cost of education, £4,500,000, was enormous, and he considered that it could bo cut down a lot. The cost of tracing young teachers was very great, and yet there were a number who could not be placed in positions. It should be a privilege for married female teachers to give way to young single teachers out of positions. The institute supported the married women teachers, but would do nothing to help the single ones who were out of work. . Mr. J. H. Harkness pointed out that the board had no power under the regulations to dismiss a female teacher because she was married. The first thing the board had to»do was to rescind the motion carried at the previous meeting, because it was certain that if the institute: took proceedings , the board would lose. He gathered that tho board's action was to make public throughout New/Zealand the position m order to bring about some remedy, and he thought the board had succeeded in doing this. The main idea was that gome regulation should be brought about that when a woman married her appointment should cease automatically. He'moved to the effect that the board, having drawn attention to the anajnalous position boards are placed in regarding the appointment of married: women teachers, the previous resolution be rescinded, and that a statement be forwarded to every momjber of the Legislature Tegarding married women teachers while single teachers are out of work. _ ■ Mr. Smith, in seconding this, said he did so with regret/because he wished that the board had power to carry out the resolution. The board had accomplished as much as it had hoped in passing the resolution, ana the matter would be brought a step nearer to the desired end.- . Mr. Trevena remarked that the only way to bring the matter to.a head was for boards and school committees to act •together and make Parliament realise that the public was behind them. The public were not prepared to support the policy of employing married women, teachers. ' The board couW not recog-; mise the institute. When teachers were appointed or dismissed the boards was dealing with individuals-and not with * They" chairman (the Hon. W. H. HTntyre, M.L.0.) saia the board could not ignore the -institute. He knew that on principle the institute .would ' have; .to fight; 'it, had no option, providing that a teacher placed her case in the. hands: of _tne Organisation. He did not think there was any complaint in this respect against the institute. Mr. A. Trevena said that if the institute found that part of its platform was morally wrong, then it should be altered. It should take a referendum of its members to find out their views. It tiid not do that, but turned: round ana made it more difficult for the .board to. achieve its end. , . •■. . - The Chairman:: ."We cannot do. any more! We have drawn attention to,thfe 10 The 'motion to rescind, the resolution giving notice of dismissal to the teacher was carried.