WORTHY OF THEIR HIRE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 254, 23 July 1929, Page 13

WORTHY OF THEIR HIRE

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTORS Reporting to the Wellington Technical College Board last night in reference to the forthcoming technical education conference, the principal of the college, Mr. J. 11. Howell, said there were matters he would like brought before the conference for discussion. The reorganisation of educational administration was in th<? air, he remarked, and it should be laid down as a fundamental principle that whatever system was introduced the maintenance of the interest and help of those engaged in industry and commence should be secured for technical education. Further, he said, if the technical schools were to obtain the services of highly-qualified full-time instructors in trade subjects, it was essential that higher, commencing salaries should be paid. At present a salary as low as £4 a week was offered, though a man of the training and experience necessary good technical instructor might earn £7 a week at his trade. It should surely be Inid down that the commencing- salaries for fully qualified trade instructors be not less than the Arbitration Court award. q'he chairman (Mr. W. 11. Bennett) said he was sure men who were capable of giving instruction at the college could command something more than the trade union rate nt their trade. It was agreed that the question mentioned should go forward to the conference.