WIVES AS TEACHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 7

WIVES AS TEACHERS

BAN IN CANTERBURY RESCINDING MOTION DEFEATED The employment of married women teachers was again discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Education Board last week. Mr. It. Wild moved to rescind a resolution passed on March 17, 1933, that "except to the extent required by the Act, the board decline to appoint marrieel women teachers." The motion was defeated by seven votes to live. ,

Mr. Wild said that events had proved that the board required discretionary power. The chief inspector, Mr. A. McNeil, had asked instruction from the board.

Mr. W. A. Banks, who seconded the motion, spoke of cases of women who, he said, had left their positions to marry, and who had since for various reasons found themselves "up dgainst it."

Mr. C. S. Thompson quoted an instance where, ho said, the board's decision should bo put into operation. In this caso the wife of a headmaster was an assistant-mistress at bis school, and their combined salary was in the vicinity of £ls a week. Nevertheless, tliero were other cases where there was great hardship, and by its present ruling the board was bound Somo women who had been splendid teachers were now in very straitoned circumstances through no fault of their own. Mr. S. Baird said that though there were undoubtedly deserving cases ho did not think the board should bocomG a charitable aid bodv.