REFORM MEMBER MOVES AMENDMENT TO ESTIMATES

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 16, 4 October 1929, Page 5

REFORM MEMBER MOVES AMENDMENT TO ESTIMATES

HEADMASTERS* PAY • SHOULD EE HIGHER PLACING HKBBKHS IN DIFFICULT POSITION. WELLINGTON, Tins Day. The House ‘went into Committee o i Supply ou the Estimates. When the Education Department estimates (£3,170,W»8) were submitted, Air J. 11. Nash moved that the sum be reduced by on the ground that no provision had been made tor an increase in the salaries of headmasters of primary schools.

Mr Nash pointed out that the salaries of these officers compared very unfavourably with those of headmasters of secondary schools. Mr Armstrong said he considered all teachers’ salaries should be increased. Mr Nash: “Then move a further .amendment.” Mr Armstrong 1 ; “That might come, but perhaps if we give the Minister time, he will state that something is to be done.” —1 BUILDING programme. Mr Armstrong, continuing, stated that school building was being held up owing to delay in the decision in regard to junior high schools. Mr McKeen also advocated an increase in teachers’ salaries, stating the duty of primary school headmasters were quite as important as those of the headmasters of secondary

schools. Mr R. A. Wright suggested that the building of schoo s should proceed normally, pending a decision in relation to junior high schools. Mr W. J. Jordan asked -whether, '“the school journal would be made available free of charge to all pupils. He also asked the -Government would make piovision to take over the Jubilee Institute and if not to take some steps it), the direction of increasing the facilities for teaching the blind. MATTER OF FINANCE. Mr p.l Fraser stated the Reform Administration had been in favour •of increasing headmasters’ salaries, but had heow, hindered by finance. The present Minister had agreed that an increase was required and any delay in granting it could only he a matter of finance. The teachers’ battle had been won, and he suggested to Mr Nash that it would he a wiser plan in the interests of the teachers to support the Government’s endeavour to raise finance by taxation, than to put out of office a Government that was favourable to the increase. STOOD BY ANSWERS. The Minister, Hon. H. Atmore, stated that he stood by bis answers to the deputations, when he had agreed that the disparity between, the salaries of headmasters of primary schools and those ot; secondary schools wa s indefensible. Mr Fraser had been right in stating that the matter was entirely one ,of finance. Mr Atmore declared there had been no shortening in supplies for other qeccssary buildings, pending the decision in respect to junior high schools. , Mr J. McCombs stated Mr Nash 1 . might inadevertently have rendered a disservice to the teachers in ( moving the amendment. M EXEEIIS’ FOSITiON. - r-v v ? • ‘Tie had placed members in the position of having to decide whe-, | thev to vote against, a Minister who 1 had been favourable to increasing headmasters’ salaries or to vote for f the placing on record that the House ' rejected an amendment in favour of an increase, ( OPEN AIR SCHOOLS. Replying to Mr Fletcher, the Min- - ister stated he was in favour of open air schools, and would extend s the principle wherever possible. He said be would secure aia esUm&st £2ai .fiiianijplte

School Journal free to all pupils. Ho would also look, into the position of teaching the blind. Replying to Mr Lee Martin, Mr Atmorc stated the Government would do anything it could to assist higher education in the country areas. It was the Government’s policy to carry educational facilities as far a s possible into the rural districts. The House adojourned at 1 p.m.