SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15620, 19 May 1911, Page 8

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 18. The conference of secondary school teachers opened in Wellington to-day. Tlio annual report contained lengthy reference to the question of salaries. Illustrations were quoted from Franco and Germany to show that in the matter of payments and pensions New Zealand would have still to travel a long way before it could compare even favourably in this respect with the countries named. Considering the small salaries paid, the report affirmed that it was small wonder that the great majority of the best pupils selected law, medicine, or some other profession in preference to teaching. A resolution was passed urging an amendment of the Superannuation Act, so that the benefits should be calculated on the highest salary for three successive years, not on the three last years of service.

A motion was also passed affirming that there should be one assistant for every twenty-five pupils. At the evening sitting the following resolutions were adopted:—“That the Executive Committee of the Association be urged to consider the best method of securing more adequate salaries for secondary school assistants, and in view, of the statement of the Education Department that governing bodies of secondary schools are not paying salaries proportionate to grants received, the Association be urged to collect information bearing upon the point, and press the matter still further.” “ That the Dofence Department be approached, with the object of having provision made for all cadet work in the secondary schools to be done during ordinary school hours, or for those masters who may have to take this work outside school hours to receive extra remuneration.” “ That the Executive bo instructed to take steps to secure the benefits of the Teachers’ Court of Appeal for secondary school assistants who have signed the agreement making their engagements terminable at three months on either side.” The following officers were elected:— President, Air R. M. Laing, M.A.. Boys’ High School, Christchurch; vicepresident, Aliss E. G. Wallace, Auckland Grammar School; secretary and treasurer, Air A. Heine, 8.A., Wellington College; auditor, Mr J. C. Pop?, M.A., Nelson College; executive comnuttee, Messrs J. Drummond, M.A. Auckland Grammar School, F. Campr<cUL -¥'*V , I ? u , nodin Hi S h School, A. G. Gifford ALA., and F. AI. Remier. ALA., of Wellington College. . U lO , n e x t meeting of the Association to be held at Wellington in Alay,