TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14398, 5 January 1911, Page 2

TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE.

ADDEESS BY PRESIDENT. Per Press Association. HOKITIKA, Jan. 3. In connection with tbe.presidcnt’saddress delivered at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which commenced hero last night, several matters ot pressing importance —notably one referring to the influence of surroundings upon children - were dealt with. Hie president urged that larger and more beautiful grounds and buildings should be provided for schools, and that greater attention should be paid to temperature and ventilation. Much interesting information was given concerning the progress made in these directions in other countries, notably in Switzerland. Tho president also referred to the methods adopted m ■Vinerioa and Australia, which have successfully copod with the difficulty of making country schools more efficient. Ho concluded an interesting address by stating that New Zealand could never hope to attract the best men to the teaching profession nor make the best use of the present teachers until a Dominion promotion scheme was adopted. A verbal amendment in the constitution of district institutes defers the election of representatives to tho . annual meeting to November in each year. The following remits were unanimously agreed to; (1) That the Minister be asked to reintroduce, as soon as possible, the regulation providing for the substitution of an assistant for two pupil teachers; (2) that the clause formerly in the regulations under the Education Act of 1877 declaring the Minister s decision upon ail disputed points in the regulations to bo binding upon all to whom it is communicated should be reinstated in the present regulations; (3) that a colonial scheme of salaries for inspectors he drawn up, and that the minimum salary for inspectors be the maximum' paid to headmasters ; (4) that inspectors should be appointed and controlled bv the Education Department. Referring to superannuation matters, tho Minister is to be asked to provide means whercbv teachers who. for various reasons, did not enter the scheme as original members may he enabled to do so now upon the- payment of back contributions and interest thereon. The report, stated that an increase of 238 in tho membership lias brought tho total within measurable distance of 2500. The executive noted with pleasure tho progress made in promotion matters in Auckland, Wanganui, Taranaki, and Southland, and urged that special efforts should he made to educate public opinion on this question. Efforts had been made to secure an increase of annuities payable to those who had retired prior to the amending Act of 1908, Imt without success. The report coneluded with a reference to tho newlyformed benevolent fund, towards whirl; purses were being contributed by tb various district institutes.