NOTE AND COMMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3648, 26 January 1899, Page 5

NOTE AND COMMENT.

To Scotsmen in this colony and all over the world the 25th the of January is a red-letter burns day, being the anniversary anni- of the birth of him of versary. . “ Immortal Memory ” Robert Burns. The Scotsman commemorates the advent of his national poet in many and varied ways. “A nioht wi Bdrns,” “A Burns Concert,” and “ A Burns Dinner ” are no uncommon events on “the 25th” among “ the chiefs, frae north_ the Tweed.” Indeed, for the smallest hamlet in Scotland not to so celebrate the memory of Burns would not only not be uncommon, but it would be considered reprehensible to a. degree. It is true that whatever speeches are made on these occasions are not charged with either much wit or originality. Probably, all the best things that could he said of Scotland’s poet have), been said long ago. Yet, it is becoming, it is patriotic, it is laudable, that Scotsmen should thus celebrate their muchrevered bard. It would be an evil day for Scotland did she forget him who has done so much for her. Burns was infinitely less the poet of “mountain dew” and “Bonnie Jeans” than he was the poet of humanity—the poet of the sanest • and deepest feelings of the human heart. Although he was truly and emphatically Scotland’s poet, he has given to the world some of the finest classics in literature. When the light of his life was flickering in its socket he was asked-! 1 Where are all your grand friends now, Robert ?” “Never mind/’ replied the poet, the world will know me and love me bettor a hundred years hence than it does now.” The prophetic utterance has proved true. Anything that will widen that knowledge and deepen that love, not only among his countrymen but throughout all lands, is worthy of commendation. The dinner hold last night in Wellington was a worthy means of keeping alive the memory of the bard ; but it would bo preferable if a more popular method of: celebration were arranged for future years. Burns was not only the poet of revellers and boon companions; love, patriotism, religion, freedom, the domestic affections and .human fraternity have all equal claims upon him; and the celebration of his anniversary should bo made as all-embracing as his genius. i

It is to bo regretted that no definite result followed upon the dismalk cussion at the Board of'Eduand cation’s meeting yesterday

female on the question of' the teaciieus. Board’s inability to get'male teachers for country schools. It is, as was clearly shown, altogether a matter of money. ,The Board’s scale of salaries for country schools is, generally speaking, so low that men cahnqt be tempted to undertake the work, and it is loft for young women to pursue it, under conditions the reverse of pleasant] and often to the utter subversion of all discipline in the schools. There is also involved the question of “ equal pay for equal work.” No one doubts that women have as good capacity for teaching as; men, and they ought to have equal opportunities of obtaining pleasant and ; wellpaid employment. At- present, it would seem, the only way to secure this (is to increase the grants to the Education Boards, so that the scale of salaries paid in country districts may bo raised. “ If women are brave enough to face the discomforts and dangers, of country life in order to earn a living, it would be wrong to restrict their privileges by insisting upon male teachers being chosen for certain schools; but at the same time the interests of education and of the women teachers demand that something should

ho done to secure Ihe bettor payment of women teachers. This is a subject that periodically crops up before nearly every Board of Education in tho colony; but no practical remedy has been suggested. Perhaps a general conference or written interchange of ideas on the subject by the members of Boards would prove helpful.