WOMEN TEACHERS' SALARIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 August 1901, Page 2

WOMEN TEACHERS' SALARIES

THE PREMIER DEPUTATIONISED.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 24

• A deputation from the North Canterbury Women Teachers' .Association waited on the Premier and Minister for Education this morning to complain of the salaries proposed for -tyomen under the colonial scale of salaries recommended by the Teachers' Salaries Commission. It -was pointed out that the Commission had evidently taken for their model the Otago schools, in which: the Jiighest salaries paid to women were from £155 to £165, which they regarded as the maximum to which women might attain. In North Canterbury, however, very few would receive anything like that, and the majority would be receiving £110 or less for very responsible duties. The Association contended that if women did the same work as men they were entitled to the same pay. There was no doubt as to the value of the work done by women teachers. .The Premier, in replying, said his sympathies were with the deputation. The Government did not desire to place women teachers at a disadvantage in any national scale. The deputation would, however, have to go before Parliament and give evidence on petitions in support of their claims. If that was not done lie thought members of Parliament would -do justice to the women teachers of the colony.

The Minister for Education advised the deputation that it would strengthen their case very much is they could get evidence in support of women in other parts of the colony.