Teacher surplus

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32903, 29 April 1972, Page 14

Teacher surplus

Sir, — May I say a word on behalf of those despised people, retired teachers, whose services are no longer required? I object strongly to the tone of the letter signed “God Defend New Zealand,” which referred to the "incompetence of many of the older teachers.” This, of course, is plain nonsense. They had to be properly qualified and of proven ability then as now. Because salaries were much lower, superannuation is correspondingly low. There was no such thing as pleasing one’s self whether one did country service or not. It was compulsory. Ihe Education Department was very pleased to be able to call on superannuitants, parttimers, relievers, etc., during teacher shortages, and it is not pleasant to be told that their applications are to be ignored to give preference to those of wives of professional men, accountants, solicit..: s, and such. They have come in on the good times, and want the best of two worlds. —Yours, etc., ONE OF THE DESPISED, April 28, 1972.

Arrows on the roads Sir, —Would you please ask the traffic authorities why, at traffic lights, the arrow markings are not consistent? To me, the ideal is the two lanes, the left one to turn left and straight ahead, the right one ahead and turn right. Yet often only the left oa r is double, and in the right-hand lane the only arrow is to the right. So, too often, I must dither, which is bad, with traffic to the left or right of me, and behind and in front of me—hiding the arrows.—-Yours, etc., JAGUAR. April 19, 1972.

[The Town Clerk of Christchurch (Mr M. B. Hayes) replies: “Because the proportions of turning traffic vary from intersection to intersection (particularly those on the one-way streets), it is necessary to vary the approach laning to get the highest possible traffic capacity. Traffic in front does obscure lane markings, and this is a real problem; in these circumstances drivers do have to be particularly careful and courteous.”]