Director Says Increase Would Cause Discontent

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 3

Director Says Increase Would Cause Discontent

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 28. The Government Service Tribunal retired today to consider the Educational Institute’s application for two further steps in the salary scale for head teachers of small primary schools (up to 190 pupils) after a two-day hearing.

Mr J. P. Delahunty presented the case for the institute. The salary increase is being opposed by the Director of Primary Education, Mr B. M. Pinder. Mr Pinder told the hearing

today that the proposed change would do an injustice to people working in larger schools and other groups. It would create a problem that could not be solved until all other groups were brought into line with the increases. Replying to Mr R. J. W,

Wallis, the Government assessor, Mr Pinder said he believed the granting of the application would cause great discontent, particularly among many of the special teaching services.

Mr Delahunty said head teachers of small schools held a key position. The strengthening of this position was quite important. Mr Delahunty urged the tribunal to give consideration to granting the application in full. The tribunal is chaired, for the first time, by Mr J. F. Keane, S.M. Others on the bench are Mr G. V. Wild, Government member; Mr J. W. G. Davidson, employees’ member: Mr G. G. Leith, employees’ assessor; and Mr Wallis.