"PLUMS" FOR TEACHERS

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 197, 21 August 1929, Page 8

"PLUMS" FOR TEACHERS

APPOINTMENTS TO HIGH POSITIONS. NEW ZEALANDERS FIRST. EDUCATION BOARD'S POLICY. "It is just a matter of trying to giv to our own teachers some of the plum of their profession if possible," said Mr; V. Donaldson at to-day's meeting of th Auckland Education Board, when urgin; that preference should be given Ne\ Zealanders, providing their qualification are equal with other applicants, in mak ing appointments to responsible posi tions with the board. Mrs. Donaldson's proposal, which wa adopted, was the outcome of the boari recently appointing Dr. H. L. Fowler, o Perth, West Australia, as vice-principa of the Training College on the recom mendation of the Board of Advice, con sisting of the chairman (Mr. A. Burns) the senior inspector (Mr. C. W. Garrard and Professor H. W. Seagar. It wa made clear that the discussion was ii no way intended to introduce the per sonal element over the appointment. "It does not say much for our educa tion system if we cannot find in Nev Zealand someone competent to fill th position of vice-principal of our Train ing College," commented Mr. J. I McPhail. Mr. R. Hoe said Dr. Fowler's qualifi cations were outstanding, and he cam> very close to securing the position o principal of the institution. "I am a New Zealander, but in thi matter of education we should invito applications and make appointment! irrespective of where the person comei from so long as it is within the Britisl Empire," said Mr. H. S. W. King. "I: the resolution is carried it might giv< the impression that the board is a litth parochial. If we could get one of oui Rhodes scholars into a high position ' would be the first to suggest it." "A Deplorable Attitude." That it would be deplorable if th< board adopted a small and parochia attitude was the opinion of Mr. T. U Wells. It was of paramount important that the board should get the best train ing for its teachers irrespective of wher< the principal came from. "I considei the positions of principal and vice-prin cipal of the Training College are twc of the most important positions thf board can fill, and it is essential thai our trainees should come under tin supervision of men who have the widesi possible outlook and best qualification! to promote their training," he added. "It would be a mistake to bind oui hands to New Zealanders simply because they are New Zealanders," concurred Mr J. Boddie. Mr. Burns: If this resolution had beer carried before the Board of Advice met the result would have still been the same. At times we have to send out tc older countries for experts. Had a New Zealander been on an equal basis witl Dr. Fowler he would have got my vote and he would undoubtedly have got preference from other members of the board. The board, however, was not compelled to accept our recommendation, Any time there is a New Zealander fit for a position I will vote for him. We must hold out some inducement to out bright young men to qualify for oui high positions when they come round. Mrs. Donaldson said a good number of New Zealand teachers went overseas for experience and when they returned with wider knowledge the board wanted to give them an opportunity of obtaining some of the big positions. "A prophet in his own country has no honour," she added. Mr. Burns: Then why did we appoint Mr. D. M. Rae as principal? He is a New Zealander. Mrs. Donaldson: I must admit that. I am just trying to give some of our teachers the plums.