APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 25 January 1927, Page 4

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

MARRIED V. SINGLE. NELSON DEBATE. (by TKLiKG R A Pit PRESS ASSOCIATION. J NELSON, Jan. 24. The principal of giving preference in the appointment of teachers to single women as against married women was confirmed at the Nelson Education Board meeting to-day. The question, arose when the' appointment of a teacher for a special class for backward children was under discussion. The hoard had sent a list of applicants to the department, who forwarded two names tor selection, a married woman being placed first and a. single woman second. The chairman (Air. F. W. Q. Smith) said that in general principles he was always opposed to a married woman being appointed when she had a husband to maintain her. It was different if a woman was a widow or had a sick husband to support. In these circumstances the board had made exceptions. In answer to a question, the senior inspector said the married applicant had outstanding qualifications. The children, he said, should be considered. Air. Alarris said he believed in the principle, but this was a case where exception should be made. Air. Scantlebury moved that the single woman be appointed. The Hon. AY. H. Alclntyre, who agreed with the inspector, said that the children should be considered, and lie moved an amendment that the married woman be appointed.^ ; Tn seconding, Air. Harkness considered that- an applicant with outstanding ability, whether married or not, should be appointed. On a show of hands the amendment was lost, only the mover and Air. Alarris supporting it. The chairman did not vote.