N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 4

N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

(press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, January 5. Tho Teachers' Conference was concluded on Saturday night, after a lengthy sitting which lasted till-after 11 p.m. Consideration of the promotion scheme was concluded in committee. Discussion of proposed classes and divisions resulted in Divisions 1. and 11. being passed unaltered. Goes 111. (in regard to applicants ior charge of infant classes) was struck out, it not being considered wise to havo a class tor infant teachers. The following note was appended to the scale of salaries set out for the two classes adopted : — "The salaries set forth hero ar© for tho pnrposo of illustration only.' They «ro taken from the present scale, and do not indicate- tho Institute's views on tho question of salaries.'' Tbo period during which teachers should advance from tho minimum to the maximum salaries was reduced from ten to five years, tho annual increments being increased from £5 to £10. The maximum salary in Class 11. was fixed at £10 below the minimum for Class I. (instead of £o as proposed b_£ the promotion clause). The scheme as amended was adopted by the Institute. The balance-sheet was adopted. The election of officers resulted in Mr W. Newton, of Auckland, being elected president with 30 votes Against 14 recorded for the other candidate. Mr W. Brock (North Canterbury). Mr James Atken (Wanganni) and Mr AY. Davidson (Dunedin) were elected nonofficial members of the executive for the North and South Islands respectively, aiil Mr G. MiicMorran was elected to represent Wellington district on the some body. Mr T. Hughes (Christchurch) and" Mr W. Foster (Wellington) wore re-elected to tho respective positious of treasurer and secretary. It was resolved to hold tbo next meeting at Dunedin. Resolutions affirming the necessity for moro adequate remuneration of teachers and the inequitable nature of payment on tho basis of average attendance were, passed? It was resolved fo ask tho Minister for Education to remove tho chief cause of discontent amongst teachers by paying salaries that are an adequate remuneration for tho important work of tho profession. A 6ub-comm it-tee of Otago members was set up to draw up a 6cale of salaries and report to tho executive by March 31st, such soalo to bo based on tho clessificntion adopted by tho Institute. Tho remainder of the remits forwarded by district institutes wero considered, the majority l>eing agreed to. \ 6inall number wero lost, and the others (which referred to matters already dealt with) wero withdrawn. Amongst the motions carried waa one —"That the timo has arrived when, cwing to the establishment of a liberal frc© place system, oil primary scholarships should bo abolished." It was resolved to urge tho Minister fo introduce tho amended regulation* for inspection and examination as submitted to and approved by the Institute last- year; also, that the Minister' 6 attention" be drawn to the heayj fees charged by the Department to_ those teachers who wish to sit for only one or two subjects. Tho following recommendations dealing with superannuation were carried: — :,, Thafc house allowance ought to be included in the estimation of • superannuation allowance; that, in the opiniou of this Institute, an allowance for back service amounting to one onehundred and twentieth of the total salary received previous to January Ist, 1906, gives a totally inadequate allowance.to teachers who have spent their best years ia tho Bervice of education, and that every effort ought to be mado to obtain terms as good as those of the railway and polio© departments;' that, in tho opinion of this Institute, ihe Education Aot should be amended so as to make it compulsory that all male contributors to the superfund retire at - 65 and all I female contributors at 60." Tbe meeting closed with the passing of the usual votes of thanks.