TEACHERS' SALARIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16325, 22 August 1913, Page 5

TEACHERS' SALARIES.

A MINISTERIAL PROMISE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 21. The secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute states that the Minister of Education last night informed the executive of tlio Institute that, pending the general revision of salaries next year, he will, in addition to concessions, already announced, give security this year against loss of salary through falling attendance, and will meanwhile consider the question of replacing the present basis of payment by something better. On behalf of the teaohers, the executive accepted the Minister's assurance as putting an end to the present condition of agitation.

DUNEDIN RESOLUTIONS. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, August 21. There have recently come before the Otago Education Board resolutions setting out the necessity of helping school teachers, more especially those in the backblocks, both in the matter of increasing salaries and affording assistance by extra staffing. The Head Teachers' Association recently passed resolutions on the subject, and the Farmers' Union wrote to the Board suggesting that the salaries of teachers in the backblocks' schools should be supplemented by a small subsidy. At a meeting of the Board to-day, Inspector Richardson presenteu a report covering the_ grounds mapped out by the>e resolutions. The report suggested that the Board should give general

support to the resolutions forwarded by the-Association in order, to secure Such improvements as follows:—(1) Making entrance to the teaching service as a.tj tractive as entrance to other branches of the public service. (p) Bringing annual increments into line with the increments granted in other branches of the public service. (3) Equalising the salaries or teachers with those on other branches. (4) Differentiating to a greater extent than is now done between salaries in rural schools and those of assistantships in large centres. A resolution was carried by the Board —"That the Board extends its hearty support to the Head Teachers' Association, and congratulates it on the steps it has taken to get justice at last." J The chairman (Mr Mitchell), pointed out the utter fallacy of paying teachers on i average attendance. Whatever, legislation might do. bo said, it would, never bring content to the teaching pro- : fesjion until something had been dona to give ever j' teacher an assured salary based upon experience, capacity and length or service.

It was decided that the oninion of the Board should be communicated to the Minister of Education.