Minister Appeals For Teachers’ Co-operation

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29907, 22 August 1962, Page 6

Minister Appeals For Teachers’ Co-operation

(N.Z. Press Atsociatin*‘ WELLINGTON, August 21. Without the co-operation and assistance of teachers it was not possible to make progress with the many educational matters of importance, particularly in connexion with the report of the Commission of Education in the post-primary field, the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) told the annual conference of the New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers’ Association today.

“I need and desire that co-operation and assistance,” Mr Terinent said. “In the same way. I hope that you will look to me for support and help in achieving your professional aspirations. I will come half-way if you will come half-way. Let us go forth together to a year of fruitful co-operation in these matters in the cause of education.” Mr Tennent said that when he thought of the relations which existed between the association, the Education Department and himself, he was far from happy.

sion might be improved, Mr Tennent said that was an indication of what he honestly believed about the teaching profession and what should be done for its members.

‘‘Had I been your Minister for a number of years and done nothing for you, perhaps one could have understood the treatment which I received. I therefore spoke to your conference very firmly last year, not because X wanted to —in fact I just hated doing so—but I felt it was my duty to speak firmly to show just where I considered your policy was leading. “One does not usually make friends by speaking plainly, as I did on that occasion. I knew I was running a risk, but I felt it was my duty to do so,” he said. “On looking back at that speech, I could perhaps have been more diplomatic in the way I spoke. “It was at that conference that I announced the 25 per cent, increase in marking fees and at the same conference you passed the resolution with the threat in it that no School Certificate papers would be marked this yeatS unless the fees were raised to the satisfaction of the national executive. "To me there seems a strange similarity between the wording of that resolution and the threat of the Wellington area on the question of overtime,” he said. Referring to a statement that the association had been denied the democratic right to conciliation, Mr Tennent said he interpreted this right to mean that both parties came together with neither parly at a disadvantage nor under any threat or coercion. “Democracy At Work” “I have made it clear all along that the threat contained in the conference resolution must first be removed and then I would talk to your organisation." he said. "That would be democracy at work. That is what democratic right means. No selfrespecting government could agree to sit round the table with that threat still retained." '

Referring to extra-mural studies and special bursary assistance, he said he was rewarded by the fact that more than 700 teachers were taking advantage of the assistance to enable them to improve their standing in the profession." On the question of overtime rates, he said that in accordance with the usual procedure the submission had gone to the Treasury and was a week or two off the Cabinet when, without any warning, not even a telephane call to inquire if anything was being done about it, he received an ultimatum that unless the overtime rates were adjusted to the satisfaction of the association’’s executive by the commencement of the second term of 1961, teachers of the Wellington area would do no more overtime.

“From time to time one hears murmurings about my department, but let me say at the outset that I have an excellent group of advisers and I could not wish for a more loyal group,” he said. "I can honestly say they are particularly anxious to promote your welfare.” Referring to an Auckland meeting he had with postprimary school principals, Mr Tennent said two important questions were asked: had the post-ptimary teachers been as diplomatic as they might have been?; and had the Minister been as diplomatic as he might have been? Minister’s Admission “These are very pertinent questions which require an honest answer on your part as well as mine and I am prepared to say here and now that there have been occasions when I have not been i as diplomatic as I might have been. What is your answer , to the other questions?” I Quoting from an address he I made in the House in 1950, in , which he expressed views on : how conditions in the profes-

“In other words, night classes at technical schools would very likely cease,” he said. The threat was followed a few weeks later by an announcement in a certain paper that the same threat, coupled with the example of 5000 striking Glasgow teachers, had brought results.

“That was the atmosphere in which I found myself within a few months of my taking over this portfolio, in spite of the fact that I had entered on the task of Minister anxious and determined to do the best I could to raise the status of your profession,” Mr Tennent said.

After reading a letter he had written to the association last June, Mr Tennent said he had suggested ways and means of the association’s executive getting over a conference decision so that the whole matter could be discussed, but since it had not chosen to do so, he urged the conference at its current meeting to consider revoking the decision of last year. "The way will be clear for the matter to be looked at and, although I offered in June to set up a one-man board of inquiry, I am quite agreeable that it should be one, two or even three men. I commend this offer to your serious consideration because that offer made to you in June is still open to you if your association withdraws that threat. Status Suffered \

“I feel that the status of the profession has suffered by your attitude in this matter, but let me repeat that I am only too willing to try to help you to rectify the position as soon as possible because I still believe as I did in that early speech which I quoted to you.” He expressed the hope that the association would accept his offer because no responsible government could ignore the force of the recommendations of any board of inquiry set up in similar conditions.