THE TEACHER'S LOT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 97, 30 May 1914, Page 11

THE TEACHER'S LOT.

POOREST PAID STATE SERVANTS. MANY IMPROVEMENTS WANTED. This morning the members of the North Canterbury Educational Institute, met the local members of Parliament to lay before them various phases of their professional lifs, with a view to having them improved by the Education Bill to be introduced next session.

The president of the institute, Mr D. Waller, was in the chair. There was an attendance of about one hundred, including many ladies. The members of. Parliament present were: —Messrs T. H. Davey, G. W. Russell, H, G. Ell, G. Witty, and J. M'Combs.

The president said that the teachers were aware that the members took a keen interest in education, and had consideration for the teachers. He read apologies for absence from the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Mr L. M. Isitt, and Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P's. r

Mr F. T. Evans said that nine or ten years ago the profession was certainly one of the worst paid in the Dominion, antl Parliament had to be thanked, for improved conditions since that time. However, the cost of living had gone up and generally conditions had altered so that further revision was now necessary. The teacher had to continue studying" in order to keep up with the everchanging thought and* the constantly introduced newideas. ' _As_tJie Jiome life became less general and of less influence the importance of the teachers became greater. It was the burning desire" or the teachers' that there "should be a definite, system ..of grading and promotion. The present system of the appointment ' of - teachers "was (Applause.) —The question of sick pay was also discussed. It might be said that they were.wanting too much, "and that it eoiild not be afforded. The teachers declared that if so much could be spent on "defence something more should be done to help education. Mr E. U. Just quoted the average salaries received in various trades:—- ■

Telegraphists, £IBB 12/-; engine-driv-ers, £l7l 12/- to £195; carpenters, £l4B 4/- to £195; teachers, £134 8/8. Once a pupil teacher or probationer was admitted his work should be made as continuous as though he or she were employed in some other-branch of the Government service. He should not be compelled to await a place as he very often had at present. (Applause). It would be seen that the wages of. teachers were well below the average, and the increments were smaller. Certainly last, year provisional arrangements were made ijor the increase of the increment from £5 to £lO. But that was not final, and the Bill of next session might alter the conditions. ;

Mr Russell pointed out that the Bill of last session did not actually increase the increment. It merely saict that the sum of £3O increase got during three years instead of six. In all cases -where compared with - other branches of the State service there were disadvantages. In fixing the pension he urged that it should be based on the three best years instead of the three last years, which might not necessarily be the best. (Applause). Nor did the house allowance count in the estimate of the wages, though it was obviously intended that it should. PUPIL TEACHER SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

Mr J. Caughley pointed out that tome of the improvements asked for would be for the benefit of the whole State. The alteration of conditions Avas greater than the world at large knew. The teacher- was asked now to specialise iii many directions. It was time that the pupil teacher should be abolished. The training college students would be older than the pupil teacher, and would think more seriously about the prospects of the profession before they entered it, and some falling oft' in' the number of those coming forwarjd ought to be expected. Pdor wages and difficult conditions militated against any individual becoming the ideal teacher. It was not right that a man should have to wait for advancement until the chance came through some better place being vacant. Further grading would- tend to make the staff more permanent, and this would save much of the dislocation of school work. He would urge the setting up of a Council of Education, composed of experts from all parts of New Zealand, so that one comprehensive scheme could be drawn. INSPECTORS SHOULD BE GRADED.

Further, he would like to see ing continued to the inspectors.. plause.) At present there was practically no monetary gain to a mail; intaking up this sort of work if he were! a senior teacher. There were eases where inspectors of sheep were better paid that inspectors of schools. (Laughter.) In conclusion, he said he hoped that the members present had been impressed with the need for the changes mentioned: It was so great that it overrode the cost question altogether.

MEMBERS IN REPLY. In reply, Mr Russell advised them to have the figures quoted that morning printed and posted to each member of. Parliament; and also, that a petition should„be forwarded to Parliament, so that they might be able to give personal evidence before the committee.

Mr Davey declared that the teachers wished to be placed on equal rates as to pay with other Government departments. He could agree with'the fairness of some of the comparisons made. He would do all he could to assist them to the best of his ability to get their desires, particularly as. to superannuation ami the cost of removal. The question of centralisation was too big a matter for them to" go into that day. Mr Geo. Witty said the live pounds increase granted last year to some of them was a miserable pittance, and should be remedied by the bigger Bill of next session.

Mr M'Combs also spoke in favour of the teachers being supported; He believed the demands were moderate, aad would have his help both in Pnrliamcnt and out.

Mr W. Bean thanked the monikers of Parliament for their attendance, on behalf of the mooting., and Miss Chaplin, on behalf of the women teachers.