EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9096, 15 July 1915, Page 2

EDUCATION

TEACHERS IN CONFERENCE. Tho Now Zealand Educational Institute continued its annual meeting yesterday, Mr A. Erakine (president) being in the chair. Mr H. A- Parkinson, M.A. (Wellington), moved to amend the constitution in order to provide that the institute shall consist of societies of teachers to bo known as district institutes, to consist of not less than ten- members resident in the same district, and registered under the Public School Teachers' Incorporation and Court of Appeal Act. One of the objects the mover had in view was to bring about a more intimate connection between the school and the community. . After a lengthy discussion, the motion was lost, on the casting vote of the chairman, in favour of an amendment that a committee be set up to take into consideration the drafting of amendments in tho constitution, made necessary by the passing of the Education Act of 1914; tho committee also to report on tho best means of bringing all the members into active relation with the institute’s work. . The subject of teachers certificates was referred to. a committee to report resolution was passed amending the constitution so as to provide , that the annual meeting shall be held at Easter, instead of in July' EVENING SESSION. Considerable discussion took place on the following remit from Hawke’s Bay: “That the executive of the N.Z.E.I. be directed to devise a scheme for the appointment of a paid general secretary, and to unite therewith the position of editor of the official journal.’’ This was eventually withdrawn, and it was resolved:—“That tho questions (a) of appointing a paid secretary and (b) of improving the journal of education, ho referred to the executive. The executive to submit their proposals to district institutes for discussion and to report to the next annual meeting.’’ A remit from Wellington that with the object of remunerating all district and branch secretaries, and greatly increasing the activities of the institute, the subscriptions be substantially increased was also withdrawn after discussion. It was decided that at least one sear on the executive should be held by a woman teacher. Another remit from Marlborough, to the effect that , at least one seat on the executive shall he held by a teacher in grade 111, or a lower grade, was lost. Notice of the following motions, to come on at the end of the order proper, was received;— “That * this meeting expresses its sympathy with the 'Follow the King' movrment (anti-liquor) and recommends the teachers of New Zealand to earnestly consider the question.” '■ “That the executive take such measures as seem to it best calculated to safeguard tho interests of .teachers volunteering for service in tho armies iof the Empire; in particular, their positions should be kept open for them, and where promotion - schemes are in existence, tbey should be advanced in -grade as if they were still teaching.” The conference will be continued today.