EDUCATION CUTS DISCUSSED.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20494, 12 March 1932, Page 17

EDUCATION CUTS DISCUSSED.

TEACHERS TAKE ACTION. SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD. The North Canterbury branch of the Educational Institute will hold a special meeting next Thursday to consider the report of the Economy Commission in so far as it affects education. At the annual meeting of the branch last evening a sub-committee of nine was appointed to prepare a report to be considered by the meeting. "It remains to be seen whether Parliament will accept the report in whole or in part," remarked the president, Miss A. C. Finlayson. "The primary school teaching service is always prepared to make its share of the sacrifice, but it should not be necessary to call every time on the same ones to bear the burden. We cannot speak of the recommendations until they are fully analysed. We have a right to know, however, what the intention of the Government really is—whether the economies may be regarded as a change in educational -policy or whether they are part of a temporary arrangement." Effect on Women Teachers. Referring to the effect of the proposals on women teachers, Miss K. B. Turner said that the women were prepared to be treated the same as the men. The reduction of their wages to four-fifths of that of the men, however, would result in many teachers, some of them highly qualified and with University degrees, receiving only £2 5s a week. "I think it is very wrong that those responsible for the education of the next generation should be treated in this way." She moved the following remit for consideration.at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute:— "That it is unjust and inequitable to make a further cut in the salariA of primary women teachers as proposed by the Economy Commission." Mr J. Bowden, secretary, said that by th,e time the annual meeting received the remit the, damag£ would have been done. He understood. the Government would make what changes it intended to make before March 21st. "A Great Deal to Oppose." "We must be careful not to represent "one point at the risk of it being thought that we acquiesce in the others," said Mr J. G. Poison. There was a great deal in the report that the Institute should oppose. The training college entrants, for instance, had been accepted on the understanding that- the Government provided their training. Their allowances were being reduced to £25 - a year, with a further £25 for those" living away from home. The result of this breach of faith would be that most of them would have to drop their University courses. "We .are prepared to accept onr share of the burden, heavy though it may be,", said Mr L. P. de Berry, "but it is our duty to see that a vital part of the country does not suffer as a result of that burden." ' He then'moved that the sub-committee be appointed to prepare the report for presentation to a meeting of' the branch next week. In reply to a questioner, Mr de Berry said that his object was to give the teachers an opportunity of expressing considered opinions on the recommendations of the committee, who would be able to examine the question in its, many aspects. He suggested that its report be brought down in the form of a number—as few as possible—of resolutions. s Miss Turner \tfthdrew her remit and Mr de Berry's motion was carried unanimously. The personnel of the committee was constituted as follows:—Misses A. C. Finlayson, K. B. Turner and M. V. Kennedy, Messrs W. A. Eumbold, H. P. Gabites, L. P. de Berry, J. G. Polson, H. P. Penlington, and W. C. Cole#.