EDUCATION

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 13, 15 July 1915, Page 8

EDUCATION

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING. The sitting of delegate* at the thirtyBecond annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute was con» ' tinued at the Boulcott-street Hall this morning, Mr. A. Erskine presiding. There was a large attendance of dele' gates from all parts of the Dominion. The report of the executive for the year 19U-15, which was adopted, statedthat capitation had been paid on 3018 members, an increase of 82 as compared with the previous year, and the number of honorary members had increased to 6L The Trust Account &howed that the deposits at the Public Trust Office, after payment of £200 to the Distressed' New Zealanders Fund, amouhted to £1264 3s 4d. The Provident Fund now stands at £754 2s Id, and the Legal Assistance Fund at £1000. The executive had submitted evidence in favour of seven districts before the Education Districts Boundary Commission, that number being preferred to any of the larger numbers that had been proposed. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the executive for its work during the past year, particularly; in relation to the passing of the Education Act. The executive was instructed to cir*. cularise the 25 per cent.* of, teachers > eligible for membership who had not yet j joined the Institute. It was agreed that the Institute should strongly reaffirm the principle that there should be only" four educations districts in the Dominion. A remit was agreed to, affirming that as long as salaries depend on average; attendances anomalies will continue tO exist, and that the Minister of Education, be requested to hasten a Dominion grading scheme, based on efficiency and service, as a means to their removal. Several ( remits bearing on the subject were withdrawn, the time being coil' sidered inopportune for pressing for any increases in salaries. A motion that transfer expenses of teachers be paid by the Education De> partment, was agreed to, -several cases of haidships being pointed out by the mover. A remit to the effect that only regular salaries be taken as the basis in.calcttlat* ing either superannuation premium or superannuation benefits, was carried. Need for an amendment of, the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Act, 1908 ' and 1909, to remove restrictions with regard to the receipt of Government pay by those retired, was expressed by resolution. It was stated by the mover that a teacher receiving a small pension had the whole of it deducted for on« month because he had earned £10 from tha Government during that period. Remits referring to claims of teachers whose superannuation would be reduced through broken services prior to 1908, were carried. It was resolved to urge that pensions to widows, under the Superannuation Act be increased to at least £30 per annum. An amendment for an increase^ to £52 per annum, contributions to be increased accordingly, was withdrawn after discussion. AU' remits dealing 'with salaries were referred to the executive, with in&true' tions to place them before the Minister ■ when a suitable opportunity offered. A proposed amendment of section 70 (subsection t\ of ' the Education Atfc, 1914, was. endorsed, co as to prevent in justice to teachers who were change! to a lower grade on account of t' . school attendance decreasing.