EDUCATION BOARD v. WHITE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8557, 27 July 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

EDUCATION BOARD v. WHITE.

TO THE EDITOB. Sin, —Permit me to thank you for your comments on the above case this morning. The Education Board needs some friendly mentor. I cannot conceive what its members would be at. It is not now the questiou of consultation, on the scope and application of which there may still be differences of opinion, although it appears to me to be almost an absurdity to 6aj that, the board is consulting a school committee on the choice of a teacher, when its officers are not permitted to tell the committee iho namet. of all the applicants ; far less invite an opinion regarding their merits. But the further discussion of that point bides its timo. It is Mr D. White's assertion of inherent favouritism iv restricted or three-candidate nomination a Bystem founded on the board's dislike to frank consultation with committees—which is just now fluttering the board dove-cote. And here there is surely little or no room for any difference of opinion. Out of, cay, 12 candidates for a vacancy, a special three are selected. Who makes the selection? On what principle is it made? For what reason? I do not even insinuate that the favouritism is intentional. It may or may not be so. I assume that it will beunintentional. But feelings, ideas, stories that one has heard, whispers passed along even at the board table, likes and dislikes—supposed to bt trampled down and inoperative,—are all there in the germ at least, and they unconsciously sway the choice. No wise man would really undertakes task so invidious. Favouritism is unavoidable—human nature being what it is, and Mr White has but stated a general law; no member of the board need impute its operation to himself unless he chooses. My opinion is of small consequence, but it seems to me that, lookiug at the bearing of the board towards Mr White, it is incumbent on even the least of us who value liberty of 3peeeh and free discussion as well as the true interests. of public education, to take our side. I take mine at once. Mr White stands in the van of our teachers. He is a man who reflects honour on his position, not only by his professional ability but by his general culture—among th« last men, therefore, it might have been supposed, with whom the members and officers of the board would havo tried & fall. But even after his full and ably analytical explanation—perhaps in consequence of it—they persist in their illadvised action.—l am, &c, July 26. William Hutchison.