A FALSE ALARM

Evening Star, Issue 18253, 18 April 1923, Page 3

A FALSE ALARM

EDUCATION MEMBER VINDICATED

Tho Education Board had before it. this morning a letter from tho Dunedin and Suburban Head Masters' Association protesting against, the notion of (lie. Oamarn representative (Mr Lawrence) in utilising in inters to the Press information regarding candidates for posit inns which the association considered was confidential.

The Chairman (Mr J. Wallace) raid Mr Lawrence- had used nothing that did not lie on the board’s tnible. The age, grade number, and length of .service of candidates were supplied to committees —not confidentially. 80, when the teachers accused Mr Lawrence of using confidential information, they were harking up the wrong tree. He had done nothing of the kind. He moved that, tho association he informed that tho hoard considered that Mr Lawrence bad used nothing of a confidential nature.

Tho motion was carried without discus sion.

The Committee of Management of the New Zealand Educational Institute (Otago branch) complained that in his references to certain teachers -Mr Lawrence had giosalv abused the confidence placed 'o birri bv teachers. The association also drew attention to the publication in the ‘ North Otago Times’ of information relative to appointments before this information had reached the school connniltef s or teachers concerned. The board decided In send the same reply to the institute as to Hie Head Masters’ Association.

Mr Lawrence stated that on one occ-i----siott he had supplied a reporter with the list of recommendations, and the chairman remarked that, while ho did not approve of this, these came in in open board.