STRONG CRITICISM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 458, 20 May 1932, Page 7

STRONG CRITICISM.

“Extravagant Language” Decried. THE EDUCATION CUTS. Condemnation of what was termed extravagant language reported to have been used by the secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute, Mr IT. A. Parkinson, when addressing the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, was expressed at to-day’s meeting of the Canterbury Education Board. The remarks objected to were made by Mr Parkinson, when speaking on behalf of the institute, as part of a deputation representing the combined Public Service organisations which protested against a further wage cut. According to the “ Public Service Journal,” Mr Parkinson said, in referring to teachers, that “ there were others who had lost the remote allowance, which was an unjustifiable steal, the kind of thing that sent Charles Stuart to the block: not a word of justification could ever be paid for it.” The board decided, on the motion of Mr R. Wild, seconded by Mr H. J. Bignell, “ that the board places on record its strong disapproval of the exaggerated and unjustifiable statements made to the Prime Minister regarding the withdrawal of remote allowances to teachers, and repeats its formerly expressed opinion that this is a direction in which savings can be made with least hardship.” A copy of the resolution is to be sent to the Prime Minister. “A Bribe.” Mr Wild, in introducing the matter, quoted the statement reported to have been made by Mr Parkinson in the “ Public Service Journal.” He said that he took strong exception to the expression. He wanted the board to consider the circumstances under which the allowance was first granted. Some years ago, teachers would not go to the country and the Education Department, weakly, he thought, bribed them with this allowance. Tie instanced a case w’here a girl, teaching twelve children, was drawing £290, while a young man, teaching five children, was getting only £75. The board had a right to expect that in making statements, teachers should make careful, wellbalanced statements that could be reported. In seconding the motion, Mr Bignell said that the board had a right to expect something better from its teachers than the expression “ unjustifiable steal.” Mr W. A. Banks said that farmers, shopkeepers and labourers did not know, at the present time, whether they would have any income at all, but the teachers had an assured income, although it had been reduced. The only teacher who had fairly put the position was Mr Frank Milner, of Waitaki Boys’ High School, who had pointed out to the teachers that they had their incomes while the rest of the community were not sure about theirs. At the present time, the cry of the teachers was "self, self,” all the time. A Peculiar Statement. Mr C. S. Thompson said that it seemed peculiar that Mr Parkinson should have used such extravagant language, for extravagant words usually led to extravagant acts. Mr Parkinson had written to the newspapers stating that the troubles of to-day were due to lack 'of education. That did not seem to be in keeping with his own words. The opinion that the great body of teachers did not agree with Mr Parkinson was expressed by Mr S. Smith. " I think a great deal of trouble can be caused by extravagant statements,” said the chairman (Mr G. W. Armitage),. He was sure that the vast majority of the teachers who had regard for the nobility of their profession would not associate themselves with the remarks made by Mr Parkinson. •The motion was carried unanimously, and it wag agreed to send a copy to the Prime Minister,