THE EDUCATION BILL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 93, 16 October 1914, Page 2

THE EDUCATION BILL

10 TIB EBITOR. Sir, — In your sub-leader of Saturday's issue you refer to my letter, for I am "Disgusted No. 2." There seems to be some doubt in your mind a.s to whether any real grievances exist amongst teachers. May I crave a» little space to put one case before you? Of course I deal with the Bill as it emerged from the Committee. Now, Sir, I am the headmaster of a grade V. school, with a roll number of 120. I worked hard (although I say it myself) in grade TV. schools, and so got to the top of grade IV. promotion list. On 10th July, 1913, I took up my new appointment in grade V. As I was appointed ten days after Ist July I received no increment for 1914, and am still receiving my grade IV. maximum (JB210). My removal expenses were £20. While waiting for my monetary reward in grade V., I find the new Bill brings my old school (roll number 45) up to my present position. Thus you will see that my promotion was a farce, my efficient work in grade IV. a waste of time, and my travelling expenses a dead loss. As I am further from the city, and have 100 per t cent. more work to do, it would 'benefit me to apply for reinstatement in my old position, and yet this would mean another £20 lost in travelling expenses. I expected the new Bill to give, me back my travelling expenses and to repay me for loss of increment for 1914; but what does it do? It offers me a £10 rise in 1918. Sir, will you be good enough to acknowledge that this i 3 an injustice? and if anybody disputes it they can hnve my name and address. Now as to my assistants. My first assistant, a highly-trained and qualified one, who is willing to leave the city and teach in this out-of-the-way township, gets from £120 to £140. This is considered sufficient for her— she should be able to pay her board and live like a queen — so the Bill does not offer her a penny. My second assistant, formerly assistant in grade IV., exchanged her old position for her present one, both positions being equal. She gets from £100 to £120 now, and the Bill offers her absolutely nothing, but proposes to raise her old position a grade. This lady is a lady of ten years' service, and efficient service. Now, Sir, we three are considered a staff of efficient teachers, and as witness to this have just received a complimentary letter from the board relating to the efficiency of our school. Sir, have we not a grievance? and may I respectfully point out that it all comes in our case of the Government's silly attitude in, sacrificing all grade V. teachers for the benefit of grades IV. and VI. ? There are 125 grade V. schools in the Dominion, so it is reasonable to suppose that there are 125 headmasters and 250 assistants in a similar position. We have used every possible means to convince politicians that we have a grievance, and so far have not snescecded. Will you be uood enough, Mr. Editor, to state through your columns if the above certified statements would convince you? — I am, etc., DISGUSTED NO. 2. 14th October, £914, [The Post did not suggest that, no teacher had reason to be disappointed with the ' Education Bill. Our argument was that the Bill did not deserve the indiscriminate, contemptuous condemnation in which some critics have inindulged.]

The Onsknv Borough Council has de. cided to approve the Hutt Road Bill. Railway excursion tickets will be issued in connection with tho Hawkes Bay A. and P. Show. Tenders are invited for the supply of Australian hardwood timbor for bridges on the Raetihi brunch railway.