WOMEN TEACHERS.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16781, 27 January 1927, Page 4

WOMEN TEACHERS.

MARRIED OR SINGLE?

DISCUSSION AT WELLINGTON.

(By Telegr^nh.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 27.

The question of employment of single women teach'erg in preference to married ones, was discussed by the Wellington Education Board yesterday.

The discussion started when Mr J. J. Clark moved that a return should be presented to the next meeting of the board giving the names, ages, grading numbers and salaries of all married women in the board’s employ. He pointed out that there were about GO teachers for whom the board could not find permanent employment. Was it fair that married women whose husbands were, or should be, earning enough to support the home should occupy the positions sought by single untmployed teachers. Mr G. T. London said that he hoped the board would not make itself ridiculous by passing, or even considering, the motion, which was a gross reflection upon married women. It was no crime to be married and the perfect teacher was obviously one who had the maternal instinct. He suggested that the motion was absurd, as the married teachers already in the employment of the board could not be dismissed simplyply because they happened to be married.

The chairman, Mr T. Forsyth, said the return would furnish valuable information. Married teachers already ployed certainly would not he dismissed, but it might be advisable to prevent the appointment of any more married teachers.

The opinion was expressed by Mr P. Robertson that whatever was said to the contrary the male teacher was more effective than the female.

When the motion was put to the meeting it was carried, Mr London being the only one of those present to vote against it.