REFORMS URGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 30 August 1928, Page 10

REFORMS URGENT.

REDUCTION IN SCHOOL

CLASSES.

AUCKLAND TEACHERS'

OPINION.

"JUSTICE WILL RE DONE."

"One of the most urgently-needed reforms of the present day is the reduction in the size of classes," stated the annual report of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Eudcational Institute, which was presented to members to-day. The report added: "We hope the time is not far distant when, in this respect, justice will be. done to our schools."

Mr. M. H. Moon, president, reported that the membership had steadily increased and the branch now had a strength of 1400. Reference was also made to the success of the summer school held at Nelson during the summer vacation.

Regarding the transfer of teachers in schools of rising grade, Mr. Moon said that there had been a remarkable agreement of opinion during the year, and, in connection with education boards, no one had expressed any wish to see them abolished, though all did not agree as to what should be the extent of their powers.

Continuous complaints, it was stated, had been made about deduction from holiday pay and the institute did not agree with the Department that the practice was a just one. In the desire of the institute to achieve its purpose of erecting memorial gates at the Training College, tht> committee recommended that an effort be made to secure the additional £400 necessary to carry out the work. The total cost of the gates was estimated at £800, and the amount in hand was £400. It was decided to circularise teachers again for further contributions.

Officers for the ensuing year were declared elected: President, Mr. S. Walker; vice-presidents, Messrs. M. H. Moon and G. H. Taylor; managing committee, Misses M. C. Anderson, F. J. Taylor, Messrs. R. P. C. Harrison, T. A. Finch, F. A. Garry, A. J. C. Hall, E. V. Hudson, A. Murdoch, A. B. Fordyce and D. E. Rae.

It was decided to arrange for a special meeting at which the proposed increase in the capital levy to the central executive, the question of increasing the number on the Auckland branch executive, the erection of the proposed soldiers' memorial and the superannuation position should be discussed.