PACIFIST TEACHERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21971, 24 May 1941, Page 7

PACIFIST TEACHERS

NO POSITIONS AT HIGH SALARIES (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. The term “war profiteers” was applied In a discussion by the Canterbury Education BOard to-day on school teachers who are exempted from military service because they are Pacifists or conscientious objectors. Such men It was said, could apply for positions vacated temporarily by other teachers joining up to fight, get the jobs and get a higher salary with them. The report of the committee put before the Board suggested that the position could be met by asking the Education Department to add a clause to the regulations governing these positions stipulating that conscientious objectors and Pacifists exempted by the Armed Forces Appeal Board should not be eligible for appointment to positions carrying a higher salary and temporarily vacated by soldier teachers. The committee’s report was carried unanimously. When the report of the Appointments Committee containing this suggestion was before the Board In committee, Mr R. Wild (chairman) suggested that it be given to the newspapers. Mr R. Smith opposed this on the ground that the position should not be made public until the Department was advised. “It should be made public,” said Mr W. T. Langley. Men who were putting forward paltry excuses in appeals against war service could step into jobs vacated by men who were giving their lives for their country. Only teachers on a lower salary at present could apply for jobs vacated, said Mr Wild. Those exempted from service could thus become “war profiteers” and make more money than they had before. ■