A FORGOTTEN CLASS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23034, 11 May 1938, Page 19

A FORGOTTEN CLASS

Sir, —May I be permitted to add to the genuine expression of "One of the Worms." As one who left the profession and has worked in other avenues 1 would say that any clever man who enters the profession will he sorry. Until he is 25 lie will not earn bread and butter. By 35 he may have paid his overdue accounts. By 50 he may earn 83 per cent of a wharf labourer's real wage (including overtime). The Government has definitely stated that teachers should be paid no more than labourers. Then out of fairness they should give concessions on railways for travelling which they demand, and should give something to books and tools which their system demands. They should also cease to judge teaching efficiency on personality, which demands decent clothing. Further, they should feel pangs of conscience when they take 5 per cent out of every teacher's wage for so-called superannuation, which seems to he a fund for patching up the National Debt in times of depression. The Minister is deliberately frustrating a men teachers' union. He will not recognise the Men Teachers' Guild. The New Zealand Educational Institute does not represent male teachers, and he knows it. The teacher has no union and is never considered because ho has nothing for sale. Nevertheless, a had education system will not help the nation. Teachers have given their all, and it is now time that they demanded a reasonable market price for an honest job. One Who Voted Labour.