TEACHERS' GRIEVANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17633, 20 November 1920, Page 7

TEACHERS' GRIEVANCES.

SHORT-LIVED ASSOCIATION. * * ~ —I REGISTRATION REFUSED. . "" " ' *'"B * DECISION* TO DISBAND. v The disbandment of the • Auckland Prima'ry School' Teachers' Association, which was formed in July last, was decided upon evening at n meeting of the association.Mr.. A. J. C. .Hall presided. * - A ,"„Z. The members of the wsociaUcmpwho ? favoured the establishment of four educa- - tion districts for grading 'and''/promotion*" purposes, maintained that their views were not given due prominence by the Wellington executive - of ♦-the New Zealand . Educational Institute,•' which was the only channel of communication with the" Minis- * ter : and the department. Already," the Educational Institute and the T Women Teachers' Association were registered and' thus had airecfc representation, and the association recently applied to the Minis-/ ter for registration. The Minister replies!, > stating that the Educational Institute al-/. ready represented practically all. the mem' bers of the association, and if -the two bodies were registered the views expressed by the representatives of the association ; might differ from the views tof the central" executive of the institute 4nd cause confusion. .Last evening's meeting v.-as, therefore, .convened to consider the position. Mr. F. Murphy moved that the association be disbanded, with a view io the formation ' at- some v' lure' date ;ofl an organisation on different lines'." Mr. S-. * Ferguson * advocated ? formation of a union under the/Labour t Disputes" Investigation Act. The chairman repiied that many . members did not-favour a,union, os it savoured of strikes and direct action.

Mr. G. Barber said he thought- it would be a mistake -to disband so "suddenly,; as it might be difficult to again bring teacher# to the necessary pitch of enthusiasm. He advocated carrying on the wsOaation until they were ready to form the new" organisation. He moved as an amendment that the % executive of the association%oinmunicate with the'*Minister with a view to meeting' him for discussion on' his • test visit to Auckland." ~ - Mr. 0. Wilson said the institute had done much good work, but the members of the Auckland executive, while possessing * abCity; wete !r ; gt ra touch with membet#. Another ' organisation , was * needed to enable members to be brought {oeethir for discussion, .*< Mr. R. ? Harrison said. that .teachers ought to be ' ashamed of always going down on their "hands and knees" to meet their employers, the department. A union was needed to ssciae the same privilege & were enjoyed by other ~ predt sm'oo&I workers. . ■

Mr. P. Barton expressed the opinion that the association had served it* purpose by showing other teachers that thn members '■ff-rp merely puppet#, and the department could do as It bleed. ft had ?ho«n that a. strong fighting bod;' «m needed. The amendment, on being put to iha meeting, v.-a* lost, and tire motion advocating immediate disbandment was carried unanimously. A mfc-r<~aißiitt«« was appointed to wind up the affairs of the 3*AOCt?.tion.

A resolution thanking Mr. Hall for the able manner in whir*?! He had \ott«r<j the opinions and fought for {he interest* of ffe* late association -was carried. r . .

Before disbanding the number* pissed a resolution recording their high spo** ciaticej of the - "valno of the services of the late senior inspector of schools, Mr. K. KMulgari.