Teachers and Home Defence

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 265, 7 November 1941, Page 7

Teachers and Home Defence

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD APPEALS Appeals on the ground of public interest, laid by the High Schools Board of Governors, concerning two teachers at the Boys’ High School were heard by

the No. 6A Manpower Committee on Wednesday. In both cases the appeals were allowed and instead of undergoing military service in New Zealand for duration of the war the men concerned are to be transferred to the Territorial Forces. One is to complete his training period before the other commences training.

The teachers are Lawrence Michael Lyons, a member of the relieving staff, and James Douglas Neil McDonald, engaged on the permanent staff. The Crown representative (Mr. H. J. Worthington) explained that both reservists were drawn in the overseas ballot gazetted on August 6, but (were graded temporarily unfit. Evidence was presented by the secretary to the board (Mr. L. I. Plimmer), in a statement, that in the past two years the school had lost the services of seven masters, of whom five were senior masters engaged in teaching science and mathematics. The difficulties in oh taining any relief were already very great and certain to increase. Mr. E. Caradus, chief inspector of secondary schools, had stated: “The position is desperate and relieving teachers are simply not to be had.” This had also been stated by Mr. A. F. McMurtrie, Assistant-Director of Education. Any further staff dislocations would seriously prejudice the education, welfare and future career of the pupils. The board felt that secondary school masters were carrying out an essential service. An Air Force cadet training unit had recently been established at the school, and it was not difficult to envisage boys now at school, even during the coming year, or within a few years, joining the Air Force and actually taking part in air operations.

In the absolute sense, continued Mr. Plimmer in his evidence, no man was indispensable, and in certain circumstances work simply had to go on somehow. The question was not whether the masters were indispensable in the absolute sense but in what capacity they were to give the best service to the State—as members of the Territorial Forces or as masters. Discussions with the military authorities led the board to believe that the two reservists would bo called on to do guard duty in New Zealand for the duration of the war. It was not at present the intention of the board to appeal for teachers called up for overseas service, and the present appeals were made- only because of extreme necessity.

Mr. T. L. Seddon (chairman of the committee) : Would it be possible to replace these men with women teachers? Mr. Plimmer: The Education Department recently wrote to the board suggesting this. Miss E. E. Stephens (principal of the Girls’ High School) has made exhaustive enquiries and states that there are no former teachers in the city capable of taking up relieving positions at the Girls ’ High School. Secondly, only Miss Stephens and another teacher take mathematics at the Girls’ High School. Mr. J. Murray, rector of the Boys’ High Shcool, stated that Mr. Lyons taught classes in science, languages, English, history, geography and arithmetic.

The chairman: Is it possible to enlarge the classes?

Mr. Murray: No. They are right up to the limit now.

Mr. W. C. Cantion (a member of the committee): What would you do if the reservists underwent three months’ Territorial training? Mr. Murray: We would just have to improvise for that period. The committee gave its decision as stated, the reservist Mr. McDonald to dc Territorial training in March, April and May, the other reservist to enter camp following the former’s completion of his period.