EQUALITY OF SEXES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18813, 13 September 1924, Page 12

EQUALITY OF SEXES.

PAY IN TL/.CHING SERVICE.

AMENDMENT BY LABOUR.

MINISTER AND THE COST.

'[BE TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPOP r T>.]

WELLINGTON. FftOy

That women teachers should xevivo equal payment to men for equal rvrvicc was tho argument advanced by the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, in the debate on the Estimates in tho House of Representatives to-day. As an indication of tho opinion of tho House on this point he moved that salaries in the administrative division be reduced by £1. In support of his contention, Mr.' Holland said that if a woman wero elected a member of the House she would be paid exactly the same as the male members. Similarly women lawyers received fees on the same scale as men. The present salary scheme was so complicated that some teachers had to engage lawyers to unravel it. Tho Minister for Education, Hon. O. J. Parr: Any intelligent person can understand it. Mr. Holland: Some teachers can't and all teachers are intelligent. If they arc not the Minister is answerable for retaining them in the service. Mr. Holland concluded that the purpose of his amendment was to secure to women equality of opportunity in tho teaching service. Minister Reviews Position. Mr. Parr replied that for some time ho had been receiving requests from women teachers on the same Hne3. Ho had informed them that if they mado their' requests through tho New Zealand Educational Institute he would bo prepared to discuss tho matter. It was incorrect to say that the now salary scheme for the first time created differentiation between men and women teachers. In effect thero had been more differentiation for tho last 40 years than there was at present. Tho Minister knew of no salary scheme in tho world whore women and men wero placed on an equality. In New Zealand there were 2600 women teachers and nearly half of them wero receiving between £5 and £9 a week. Headmasters in the highest grade received £550 to £600 a year and first assistants £450. Against this quite a number of senior mistresses in charge of infant departments received over £400. Women teachers wero well dealt with. A Labour Member: Tho point is whether they render the same service for less pay. What the Demand Would Cost. Mr. Parr: I would not say that they did not render equal service, but what family responsibilities havo they ? If their salaries are going to be placed on an equality with those of men it will cost £330,000 to £400,000 more annually. Either that or the men's salaries must be lowered to correspond. A commission in Australia recommended that tho differentiation in favour of men teachers should be from 20 to 25 per cent. The latest New Zealand scale favours women more than at any time for 30 years. Mr. M. J. Savago (Auckland West) pleaded for the same pay for t.he married female teacher as the married male, provided the service was equal. "In the end," said Mr. Savage, "it will mean that single girls will oe forced to work hand in hand with married men." (Laughter.) The Hon. J. A. Hanan I'lnvercargill) discussed the question of the equality of the sexes generally and deduced from his reasoning that he doubted whether the Labour amendment, if carried, would help the unmarried female teachors or the efficiency of schools. Mr. Holland elaborated his aigument in a second speech and was supported by several of his party.