MARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 5

MARRIED WOMEN TEACHERS.

Sir, strongly protest against married women being asked to resign their posi tions, for the reason that ..'doing so they are being deprived of their rights as citizens. The majority >of married women teachers continue in their work after marriage for the pure joy of that work, and how interesting it must be for them comparing, notes , and suggestions with their husband* (that is, if they! are teachers also). A qualified teachershould have*-no in securing a good position in an office, should there not be a vacancy for her in : her profession. ' I grant you it is a difficult problem, but we must try to solve it, without injury to the married women. I have always'been an advocate for equal pay for equal, work, and I* think it might be a good idea for the Government to impose a graduated tax on the wages of every" single man and woman, and every married man and his wife (if she continues in business), married persons to bo exempt from the tax on the arrival of their firstborn. This tax would be most, useful in providing a pension for every • child as soon as it wasi born, and, incidentally, believe it would ultimately do away with a deal of suffering and unemployment.", The principal thing in solving, any problem is to do so without injury to anybody. Common Justice.

( Sir,—lt; would be interesting to hear parents' views on the subject of V married " teachers, since " He who pays the .'piper, .calls the tune'!" It is to be hoped that those good people who wish to prevent a woman teaching, because she has been ; foolish enough to marry a man,, are consistent. If so, they must not employ' a married : dressmaker, milliner, teacher of music, dancing or elocution," nurse, servant, or washer-woman, since all have transgressed equally with the married teacher, and there ' are single women out of employment in all these callings. " Justice . speaks of 'a • "square deal." lam told that when pupil-teachers enter.the !■ training-college - for their two years* r training, thehy enter isto an agreement to teach for at least three years after leaving or pay a fine of £80, to partially, reimburse the Government for the expenses incurred by the student. These must be considerably over £200 v for two years' education together with salary paid while in training. Have we not read of some bold ; maidens who have dared to become engaged and wished to be relieved of their responsibilities of three years teaching or the fine? Did we not read of the " noble calling," also , "the highest duty of founding a home?" Was not one student, at least, sent''.to the altar rejoicing, with happy parents, their £80 safe ' and sound, largely owing to the 'silvern speech of a member of the Auckland Education Board? ■■•; It ;is very pretty, and sentimental. But. is it a " square deal" to take all the benefits and ask to be relieved of their responsibilities at the expense of the community? If a married woman whose circumstances are not necessitous is teaching, she must love -the work, of; feel the call ; to 'service, for r teaching is too strenuous and nerve wearing to *■■ attract women from ! comfortable homes and a , life ■of comparative leisure. ;'; What' more natural occupation can a married woman engage in than training little children?: If ' she ) is, 1 childless her natural ■: maternal instinct is expended on her pupils,! I maintain that all other things being - equal, a married woman ; ; should \ be ;■ of ; more value to v the, i community, as a teacher, than a single one. Common Sens*.