“REMOTE” ALLOWANCES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1931, Page 13

“REMOTE” ALLOWANCES

PROTEST AT WITHDRAWAL. Believing that the withdrawal of the allowances would tend to lower the standard of teaching in country schools, the North Taranaki executive oi the Farmers’ Union yesterday adopted the following remit from the Stratford provincial executive: —“That this executive expresses its disapproval of the remote allowance allowed teachers in country schools being discontinued.” In moving the remit Mr. M. _G. Trotter said the matter had received a good deal of publicity. The remote allowance of £2O a year having been disallowed there was a strong possibility of less qualified teachers being stationed in the back country. A strong protest should be made. Mr. H. Hunt said these teachers had really been reduced by £5O against £3O for the man in town schools. They had suffered the loss of the allowance as well as the- 10 per cent. cut. The chairman (Mr. H. E. Blyde) said they should give reasons when sending their protest. It was hardly just. They could suggest that economics might be effected at the other end and in secondary rather than primary education. Most of the country schools were already working at a disadvantage. Mr. Hunt asked why the teacher who had to put up with a 'less convenient house in a remote district should be penalised an extra £2O beyond the teacher at the town. The chairman said it was the secondary education that was costing the money. Mr. White contended they should strengthen primary education.