MUSIC TEACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 235, 4 October 1928, Page 10

MUSIC TEACHERS.

REGISTRATION BILL.

PASSED BY HOUSE.

ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED.

The Music-Teachers' Registration Bill ] passed by the House of Representatives ' yesterday, if endorsed- by the Legislative Council, will come into force in Jan- ■ uary 1 next. A music-teachers' registration board is to be set up, consisting of nine persons, one to be appointed by the f Government and the remainder to be elected by registered music-teachers. Four districts are to be proclaimed, the Auckland district being the province. The remaining districts will be Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Each district will elect two members. For the first election persons who are members of any incorporated society of professional music teachers or musicians recognised for the purpose in the "Gazette" will be deemed to be registered teachers, and entitled to vote. Office will be held for two -years. Provision is,,- made for the payment of allowances and travelling expenses to members of the board. The functions of the board are to receive applications for registration under the Act. Tfie board is to appoint # registrar of musicrteachers. Upon the payment of a fee of 10/6, teachers will be entitled to registration if they satisfy the board that at the commencement of the Act they have been engaged in New Zealand for a period of at least twelve months preceding ~iu the teaching of music, or hold degrees, diplomas, certificates or other proof that they have passed an examination in music recognised by the board or/ are otherwise competent to teach. No person at present teaching can be registered as a music-teacher unless application is made within two years after the date of the commencement of the Act. Applicants for registration must not be less than eighteen years of age, and must satisfy the board as to character. A board of appeal is provided, consisting of a magistrate and two assessors. The funds of the board may be used for establishing a provident fund for *.he assistance of persons registered who are in- necessitous circumstances. "Good, Bad or Indifferent." A prominent teacher informed a "Star" representative that he did not think the teachers in Auckland had bothered 'much - about the bill. "There

are thousands of teachers liere," he said, "and they are to be left alone, whether they are good, bad or indifferent. They can go on for ever teaching well or ill,/ as the may be. New teachers, however, will have to register, and the board will have to be satisfied as to their qualifications. I fail to see what earthly good the bill is under the circumstances. No doubt the safeguarding of the profession was the consideration actuating the introduction of the measure, but when the very worst, class of teacher who happens to have his "shingle" hung up now, is to be allowed, as a matter of right to register what possible use can Parliament see in the enactment."