MUSIC TEACHERS’ BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19804, 1 June 1926, Page 10

MUSIC TEACHERS’ BILL.

STATUS OF THE PROFESSION. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. {Peb United Pbebb Association.) WELLINGTON, May 51. The Hon. R. A. Wright (Minister of Education) was asked to-day by a deputation of musicians to take charge of the Music Teachers’ Registration Bill and to endeavour to have it passed during the coming session. Mr Robert Parker _ (the spokesman; said that the Professional Teachers' Society, which represented over 1000 music teachers throughout the Dominion, desired to see the profession given the status it deserved. As a preliminary to any scheme improvement it was essential that a qualified teacher should be recognised as trained and efficient and that he should be distinguished m the public mind from the charlatan in other professions. Registration was compulsory. No one was allowed to practice certain professions, and rightly so when the public security was considered to be endangered, and proper qualifications were therefore insisted upon “We don’t want to deprive anybody who is now working as a teacher from teaching,” said Mr Parker. ‘‘What wo want to do is to safeguard the public.” Mr Wright; What will happen if this Bill becomes law to those who may be inefficient ?

Mr Parker : They will bo allowed to continue. We aim to deal with unqualified people wh'f come after. Mr Wright said he would not make a promise that such a Bill would be passed. It was a matter upon which the whole Cabinet should act. He would lay the measure before his colleagues.