WANTS OF TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18192, 11 September 1922, Page 8

WANTS OF TEACHERS.

SALARIES AffD PENSIONS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

COMPLAINT OF ANOMALIES.

[b* telegraph.—special auroRTEE.] WELLINGTON. Sunday.

When the deputation from the New Zealand Educational Institute waited on the Minister for Education on Saturday Mr. C. T. AsclVman stated that the institute marvelled at its own moderation on the question of salaries. The Minister could claim credit for the manner in which he had attached large numbers to the teaching profession, as was shown by the overflowing state of tho training colleges. It. was a pity then to interrupt the good work that had been started. The institute desired an assurance that the salaries would be restored as soon as possible. The institute had already protested against cuts. * The Hon. C J. ParA; Yes, it is duly recorded in tho archives of the department. He gladly gave the. institute credit for accepting the cuts without undue turmoil. Mr. Aschman urged the compilation of a register of teachers in order to place teachers on tho same level as members of other professions. Inclusion on tho register would be contingent on good behaviour, and a teacher when called upon would have to show caiwo why ho should not be removed from the register. The Superannuation Fund. Mr. W. Newton referred to anomalies in the administrati6n of the teachers' superannuation fund, and sl&tf d that legislation -was long overdue. Tho institute did not seek amendments which would involve an additional burden on the fund. , The Minister said there were undoubted anomalies in the Act. Mr. Newton 6aid tbf, superannuation should bo based upon the highest salary rate and not on the salary rate during the last three years of service, providing, of. course, that, the teacher continued to con-; tribute at the higher rate. He asked the Minister to assure them that training college service would bo included in computing superannuation. Regarding the entry of returned soldiers into the service, he asked that the. four or five years service at tho front should count as continuous service in the profession. The inadequacy of the widows' allowance of £18 was "next touched upon by the speaker. He stated that the actuary had declared that if the contributions for teachers were increased bv one-third the allowance could be increased to £52 a year. He trusted that the Minister would soe what could bo done. He also asked that in cases where a teacher's promotion was blocked because he or she could not pay removal expenses tho department would come to the teachter*s relief.

Removal Expenses. The Minister stated that when he went into office 2£ years ago he found that there was great discontent on matters of trading and salaries. He felt that he had improved the status of the teachers, who were now in a national service and not a mere board service. Teachers could now look from one end of New Zealand to the other for promotion. He agreed jthat there should be no bar on promotion, and ho believed the (removal expenses were a heavy handicap. 'Quite frankly he admitted that it was one of the first things that should be put right. It meant additional expense, but he would not regard i his work as Minister finished until teacfr I ers were placed upon the same footing in regard to removal expense* as other members of the Civil Service. Mr. Parr thanked the institute for the way in which they had taken the cut, and I said he was prepared to consider a scheme propounded by the teachers for a readjustment of salaries, providing that the total vote was not increased. A Bill dealing with amendments of the Superannuation Act was now under consideration and would be placed before the Cabinet by I the Minister for Internal Affairs very shortly. He was concerned about the superannuation fund, and a complete overhaul seemed to be necessary. Although the fund was not regarded as actuanly sound he could not secure more money just now. Hs did not object to providing for an appeal against the cancellation of certificates by the Minister. They might evolve some scheme that the cancellation should not take effect until the teacher concerned had an opportunity of appeal, ing either to the Appeal Board or some other tribunal. PAYMENT OP CAPITATION. A STATEMENT RESENTED. - (bx tklkobaph.—press association.} DUNEDIN. Saturday.

Tho Management Committee of the Otago Educational Institute passed a resolution taking strong exception to the Minister for Education's reported remark in regard to the difficulty of guarding against roll stuffing if capitation were paid on roll numbers, thus casting a grave reflection on the honour of tho profession.