"THE THREATENED RUMPUS."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 339, 28 October 1908, Page 8

"THE THREATENED RUMPUS."

In a letter to the Editor, "Irishman's Rise" - says:—Sir, —You need feel very little alarm for yourself and the general public, about the threatened "rumpus," which the famous "institute" talks of making;' Tlie institute vill talk no. doubt,'but can bo safely trusted to do nothing alarming, and to stop talking while it is safe. What good does it suppose it will do by.taking.a lawyer's opinion? Whom will that benefit except the lawyer? It.not the word of the Minister in charge of an Act final arid binding in interpreting that Act? But, anyway, the Minister's reading of the Act is just as logical as the institute's reading—and a good deal more authoritative.' It is clear that the Minister has voiced the opinion of tlu Government in his'interpretation. It is cleai that the Act was meant to read just, as lie reads it; arid it is equally, clear that the fact was meant to bo discovered after the elections, how soon after, no matter. Tha* Bill, sir, is a masterpiece' of strategy. Let the institute look up tho files of this-paper, and see how "Irishman's Rise" warned teachers to look this ..gift horse in the mouth as soon as-the schedule ,of salaries was pub. lished. , Why-didn't'the institute talk then? But, sir, this Act can easily be defeated, if the Education Board is on the side of justicr as opooscd to mere strategem. It can nice; tho Minister's move by one just as astute. A case will illustrate the point. A teacher get? a salary of £135 now. The minimum of higrado is £150 (new Act). ; But as alrcad' seen, bo will only get £140 next year. If however, ho should resign, tho newlyl appointed teacher would get the minimum of the grade, viz£l.so. Why should not he resign', and bo himself the newly-appointed teacher? With the concurrence of tho board the thing could bo easily arranged, and extended to every case of hardship, and how's that Mr. Fowlds?. In conclusion, sir; min-ht I ask you to publish again, the schedule"of staffs and salaries, primary and secondary as I understand the salaries have been slightly altered since you last published them ?' " [Owing to very heavy pressure on our space, wo wore unable to accede, so far as this issue is concerned, to the above request- for the schedule.of secondary and primary school staffs and salaries.]