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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 216, 16 October 1914, Page 6

Following closely on the heels of the disaster to the Namaqualand expedition comes the treacherous adventure of Colonel Maritz, who has raised the flag of rebellion in the Cape province against the South African Government. The resignation some weeks ago of General Beyers, the Commaridant-in-Chief, suggested that a spirit of mischief was abroad, and the attitude of the insolent .Maritz, who has openly thrown in his lot with the Germans, showed that those suspicions were only too well founded. The position in South Africa may easily assume a critical aspect, particularly if the disaffection spreads amongst those of the Dutch who have strong proGerman tendencies. It is not Maritz who is the danger. The record of that adventurer demonstrates that he is of the type of man whb would fight for a crowd of coolies if it were made worth his while. But if he is merely the tool in the hands of Boer plotters who are working in with the enemy, then General Botha will have to strike swiftly, and strike hard, to prevent the trouble from spreading. A message from Cape Town yesterday stated that the Government was confident of having localised the rebellion. This, if true, is encouraging news. If the anti-British section of the Boers seized the opportunity while the Government was embarrassed to. work off old scores,' the result might be another South African war coincidental with the struggle in Europe. However, the news to date does not suggest the likelihood of such an untoward situation being created. General Botha has dispatched a strong force to teach M'aritz a lesson, and the latter will be fortunate, indeed, if he escapes all that is coming to him. For his. treachery he is a doomed man, unless his Teuton schemers can plan escape for him. The whole business emphasises the insidious German influences which have been at work: everywhere in preparation for "the day.'' The little rebellion adds to the worries of the South African Government —beyond that it has little or no significance, unless : the German poison has permeated deeper than appears at present. ■ —■———■———*——«■■ . Relief has boen long in coming to the patient profession of school teachers, but the new Education Bill promises to reward them for their loyalty and devotion to duty under distinctly discourag : ing conditions. In moving the committal Of the Bill in the House last evening, the Minister (Hon. Mr Allen) pointed out that "by 1915 the average salaries of male teachers would have risen's3 per cent, in 15 years, whereas 'tlie cost in the same period had advanced 16 per cent. These fig-] ures are hardly'so good as they appear on paper, because of the meagre average salary in 1900, but they will serve to show the teachers that there is a prospect of their coming into their own —b} r instalments. The Bill provides for increases amounting to £106,000, and the Minister proposes that these should be granted as from the beginning of 1915. It is repeating ah ofttold tale to say that the teachers of the Dominion, as a whole, are not receiving adequate remuneration, for their work, and that the profession is one in which the monetary compensation j and opportunities for promotion have j rather repelled the.;.young men of the I day. But we think the teachers can safely accept the Bill, as an earnest of( the Government's endeavour to right an ancient wrong. The measure does not remove nearly all the disabilities which obtain under the existing system. One of the crying needs of the service is a substitute for the present archaic principle on which promotion is granted. No system which does not in this matter rely largely on teaching efficiency,combined with., scholastic at-, tainment^-rather than, on inere length; of service, will give, satisfaction to the ambitiouj*,. efficient teacher who hopes to; grow, honourably old in the service, In most other professions based on a liberal education, actual merit is' usually the j>assport to the more remunerative positions, and 'here is no valid reason why it should be otherwise in our schools. is an admirable opportunity for the Inspector-General to make his name revered in the profession. . Amongst other improvements, the Bill raises the minimum salary in Grade I. to £ll0 —an advance of £2O in two years. Even at that figure the remuneration is not extravagant. Consideration for the married men in the service is shown in the matter of a special allowance and some relief when transfer expenses are incurred by them. ~/ ' ' ' •" ~~~ ~ I