Teachers Asked To Boycott Western Samoan Positions

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 20

Teachers Asked To Boycott Western Samoan Positions

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 29.

New Zealand teachers have been asked not to apply for, or accept positions advertised by the Government of Western Samoa. “When New Zealand currency was devalued, New Zealand teachers in Western Samoa suffered a 20 per cent cut in Samoan money, which was a clear breach of the spirit of their terms of service,” said the chairman of the national executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute (Mr L. E. Patchett), in a statement today. “In spite of efforts by the Government to persuade West-

ern Samoa to give at least a partial restoration of the salary cut, New Zealand teachers in Samoa were still penalised,” he said. Western Samoa last month advertised positions at lower salary rates, Mr Patchett said. The N.Z.E.I. was making further efforts, through the Government, to have the salary cuts restored, and to get Western Samoa to abide by the scheme for future appointments.

The N.Z.E.I. did not want any more of its members exploited, as was happening now, said Mr Patchett. Members were being advised not to apply in the meantime for positions advertised by the Western Samoan Government,