The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1901. PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' SALARIES ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 14, 18 January 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1901. PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' SALARIES ACT.

Foa some time it has been known that tha Government has had in view the adoption of a uniform scale of salaries for state school teachers. The difficulties in the way have, however, proved greater than was at first anticipated, and although a rough scheme was outlined and sent to the Education Boards, the last session passed without the much to be desired measure being passed. The Opposition pres} did not hesitata to say that the promise was merely an election oce, and although the Governmont introduced and succeeded in passing n short Act of two clauses, giving them power to distribute in such manner as may be agreed upon, by the Minister of Education and the several Education Boards, any amount appropriated bj parliament, these papers still held that it'was all a blind. The Government got the Act through, however, and also succeeded in inducing Perliamsnt to vo'e the sum of £8250 as an "addition to statutory capitation, teachers salaries only." A few days ago, the Secretary of the Taranaki Education Board received a circular from the Inspector General, which certainly should convince every oae of the sincerity of tha Minister in his desire to place the s-.laries of our State school ieichers on a satisfactory basis. The (iicuhr rends as follaws "The Seoletary Ediuati-m Board. fcSir.—l have the honor by direc'ioa of the Minister of Education, to communicate with you for the purpose of consultation with your Bomd, in terms of Section 2 of i" The Public School Teachers Salaries Act, 1900," in regard to the distribution of the item voted last session—" addition to statutory capitation, teachers *il*ries only, as directed by the Minister of Education .£8250." The list of teachers and salaries forwarded by you shows that those whoso names appear on the accompanying list are in receipt of salaries that, in the opinion of the Government, are below what should be paid upon a uniform scale to teachers holding the positions most nearly corresponding to the ac'.wal position of the teachers named. The amount necessary to bring tho»e salaries up to 1 such a scale are iudicated opposite the names of the teachors affected. The total of all Buch increases for your district is £ . The Minister is, however, aware that the systems of staffing vary in the several districts, and that, therefore, in s»me cases a scale of salaries drawn up on the basis of a uniform system of stafl'mg may act unequally in the different districts. Accordingly, if your Board should have any suggestions to make ia regard to the re-adjustment of the in; creases among the .several teachers concorned, the Minister will give suchj suggestion* his full consideration, A copy of the Act is enclosed herewith. I am, etc., George I-loghes." Naturally until the list has bo«n considered and: dealt with, wo are unable to obtain the same for publication. It is, however, no breach of confidence to say that the total amount allocated to Taranaki is ,£1063 9s 6d, divided amongst 89 teachers in sums ranging from £1 2s to £42. Head teachers, assistants,, and pupil tertcSier.~, all'nreivo consideration, wherever, in the opinion of tho department, the salary ia too low. The Secretary of tho Taranaki Board has written asking what bases the distribu- i tion h.;fi been made upon, and we notice J the same question has been raisf d in i Wellington, wheio tlio sum of .£3200 is proposed to bo given to tho Education Board. , The New Zealand Times referring to the matter says, " It is not known upon what bases the increases have been made; but it is supposed that' a eolonial scale hus been fixed, and the

ncreas-'snrtde lneonnrmity therewith. j I'his is all ve-y we'l, but the number f children the teachers have to tench ' iliould alao be considered. A gieat. leal i-i often m:;de oE the lo w salaries . jaid in Taranaki, when compared with VVanganui, Oiago, etc.; but it should .lso be known that the Taranaki Board . s not so exacting in the matter o! the number each teacher is teach, and looked at fro ja ' po.nt, the fal^ <(jS so l ovv af they oth rfW j ge a pp car> Yisir OF LM.£SrIAL TROOPS. The publics'ijn of the news that the pickfid detachment of linpoml troops visiting the colony are to go from Wellington to Napier and thaooeU Auckland ba<? roused the citizens of New Plymouth who vtry properly objact to the pscplo of Taranaki not receiving & visit. His Worship the M'jyor was seen bus could nots-ehia way to act, on his own responsibility. We undfr stand steps are bain« .taken to gat up m requisition asking His Worship to cill a public meeting when, no doubt, representations will be made K. ilia head of the Government on the subject. As a chance of seeing such a splen iid body of men is baldly likely to occur again Taran >ki should certainly, if only for thtffjliildren's sake, make an effort to secure a visit tj this part of the colony. No doubt the towns along the railway line will all be equally anxious to secure proper consideration for Taranaki with other portions of the colony. The occasion of their visit to the colonies is one that gives very great | inter.Bt to it, and seeing them will be a splendid object lesson to those young people who have never been Home, and who have grown up since the British troops left the colony; Their visit is a very great honour to the colonies', as it is in recognition of the services of our colonial troop«in South Africa) and we hope to gee the mitter of securing their visiting Taranaki taken up with enthusiasm.