CANVASSING TEACHERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13386, 12 September 1905, Page 6

CANVASSING TEACHERS.

TO THE KDITOR. Sin,—ln my letter on tho Above subject I stated that there was "quito a co-operative industry established among us teachers for tho purpose ol circumventing the wiles of inspectors." But I did not, and do not, admit that I havo taken,up shares in that industry as "S.P.Q.R," unfairly presumes. Anyono may. quitA _ fairly say that there is a co-operative dairying industry established among tho farmors of New Zealand; but that does not' mean that every farmer who states such an obvious fact is a dairy farmer. • Another point in which "S.P.Q.R." is inaccurate is his statement that teachers are dominated and controlled by a bodyviz., a school committee,—whoso members are ohosen without their having a voice in Iho mutter. Teachers who are householders havo the same right to vote at elections of school committeos as anyone else, therefore they havo a- voice directly in tho choice of a. school committee, and indirectly in tho election ofEducation Boards. With regard to "S.P.Q.R.V personal insinuations, ho is barking up the wrong tree. My letter was. called forth by complaints in your columns about: committees whoso members allowed thomsclves to bo canvassed. If the canvassing is objectionablo to .tho canvassers, why don't tho canvassers knock it off? It wouldn't kill them to excrciso that, amount:,of self-denial. And is there a school billot worth going on one's knees for? I haven't canvassed a school committee for over ' a dozen , years, yet I don't starve. I don't canvass, not on principlo particularly,, but because I don't like it. \Vhy_ _ can't others refrain from such humiliating practices, only excusable when starvation threatens? .'With regard to ' r S.P,Q.R.'s" proposed appointment board —two Education Board members, two inspectors, and two members of tho Educational Institute,—l- would just as soon stick to the ru-ttfont system. No matter what system is adopted, there aro some creatures who will crawl after billets,_ and tho system of consulting committees in appointments allows tho public to seo them crawling by daylight. In conclusion, I ostensibly and explicitly deny that I rely upon points given mo by fellow teachers. If "S.P.Q.R." disbelieves this assertion he can have my name, and I'll give him. a £5-note if lie disproves it.—l am, etc.. D. E. F.