SCHOOL TEACHERS NOT ELIGIBLE

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 6

SCHOOL TEACHERS NOT ELIGIBLE

V.A.D. SERVICE OVERSEAS (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 21. “We teachers are here under false pretences,” a V.A.D. declared last night when an appeal was made at New Plymouth for volunteers for service overseas. Her remark followed a statement by Mrs C. A. Taylor, North Taranaki V.A.D. commandant, that school teachers were not eligible for selection. She felt that this was not right, Mrs Taylor said, and she advised teachers with the necessary qualifications to offer themselves and apply to the education authorities for leave.

It would be a pity to leave teachers out because they were a very fine type of V.A.D., commented Mrs G. Miller, one of the two selectors sent to Taranaki by the St. John Ambulance Commandery. Two teachers were among those who volunteered for overseas service last night and strong exception was taken by their colleagues to the bar against the profession. It was asked on whose authority the teachers were excluded, whereupon Mrs Taylor read a telegram received yesterday afternoon from the Red Cross Society headquarters. The comment was made that it was strange the telegram came from the Red Cross Society and not the Government. On Mrs Taylor’s advice it was decided that teachers should enrol and allow the Taranaki Education Board, if it desired, to appeal against their going overseas. MINISTER’S STATEMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 21. The question of V.A.D.’s and teachers volunteering for overseas service was referred to the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, who replied: “Teaching is essential work and this fact is becoming more pronounced in respect of women teachers by reason of the shortage of teachers caused by the enlistment of men. As the carrying on of education is an essential work it is better that the V.A.D. requirements should be met at least for the present from those who can go without leaving essential work undone. The eagerness of many teachers to go as V.A.D.’s is consistent with the high sense of duty of their profession, which the country greatly appreciates, but at present they are serving the nation’s need by doing that specialist work for which they have been trained. It would not be easy to find substitutes.” .■