TEACHERS AND STAFFS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8748, 2 June 1914, Page 4

TEACHERS AND STAFFS

“No confidence” seems to be th* actuating feeling of the North Canter bury Education Institute. They rtmember the wretched sop of £12,001 given to the teaching profession in tin ast Budget. With a surplus oi £705,508, that was the best the Finance Minister could do for.their grievances' of which be acknowledged the legitimacy. Three rises of £lO a year in stead of £sl This is what ho said in his Budget:—“He did not think it wil. be possible to bring down this session a scheme for - the improvement of thi staffs and of the salaries in publicschools, but proposals dealing with these two questions, will be submitted to Parliament next year.” The teachers coughed sadly over the wretched dole extended with grudging hand, and with their minds full of the report of the Education Commission man} months old, had their doubts about the necessity for postponement. Their doubts were as legitimate as theii grievances. They now appear to have extended those doubts to the performance of the promise added with such lighthearted terseness to the miserable instalment of ■/ justice. They have therefore interviewed some of the local members of Parliament. Before these they have laid their case, the core ot which is the comparison of their salaries with those received in the various trades, and with those in other departments of the Public Service. The members listened with. sympathy. they promised to do what they could, an 3 one advised them to have their figures printed and posted to every member of Parliament. What hope is there? Those members—Messrs Ell, Davey, Witty, and McCombs—are on the wrong side to begin with. Moreover, the Government is breaking its promises with a consistency worthy of a batter cause. They have abandoned tariff reform after easing the sufferings of the -Governor and the big merchants. They forgot how they sealed with their heart’s bipod their promise to alleviate the alleged wretchedness of the majority of the population. The promise, notwithstanding that crimson stain, was, according to Mr Allen, ‘“a mere electioneering cry.” Are they now likely to keep their promise to the teachers which has not the advantage of any blood cement? They undertook t.reduce the cost of living, but beyond their provision for certain well-to-do payers of direct taxation,, where , is their scheme? They were to settle the industrial question in a big bill. The bill actually appeared, and something was done, but' the core of tlu subject remains untouched. They took up with a light heart the task ot insurance against unemployment. But their heart has become heavy, and they are watching Mr Lloyd George with an anxiety for guidance, at least as great ns their admiration for the whole really reforming policy of that right honourable gentleman. We ask again, “Where is the hope for the teachers? 1 ' Echo answers, with a doubt bom of -experience, “Where?”