POLICY OF DEFLATION

Northern Advocate, 19 April 1932, Page 7

POLICY OF DEFLATION

TEACHERS’ PROTESTS. / “GOVERNMENT HAS NO MANDATE. ’ ’ (Special to “Northern Advocate.’’) AUCKLAND, Tills Day.

At a meeting of the Auckland Men Teachers’ Guild, it was stated that since 1922 many teachers had suffered over 30 per cent in salary cuts. There was strong criticism of the Government’s attitude towards civil servants and the teaching profession, and the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this meeting, representing all the men teachers of the Auckland Province, challenges the Government’s claim to have a mandate to pursue a policy of deflation. We call upon the Government to withdraw the reactionary legislation embodied in the National Expenditure Adjustment .Bill, and to replace it with measures which will grapple with the economic crisis .and its source —that is/ the private control of the volume of credits, and consequently of money, and bring about a reorganisation of finance and industry to absorb the unemployed and render unnecessary wage cuts and increased taxation.’’

Surprise was expressed at the action of the Government in suggesting the closing down of the manual training centres. The chairman, Air T. Tnrbott, said the time when the child’s opportunity for academic education was being curtailed was surely the occasion when further provision should be made for a fuller training in handicraft.

It was felt that this, and the farreaching effects that the raising of the age for entrants into primary schools will have on the education of our children, were matters that should be brought before parents by school committees at the annual meeting of parents.

Strong disapproval was expressed at tho threatened action of the Government to withhold over-paid superannuation. Remits for the annual conference of the New Zealand Education Institute, affecting men teachers, were considered.

All nominees present promised to support: (.1) A change in the salary scheme to provide differentiation in favour of men teachers; (2) a change in the Education Act to permit of the formation of a union under tho Industrial Disputes Act.