Horowhenua Teachers Meet In Levin

Chronicle (Levin), 22 June 1948, Page 4

Horowhenua Teachers Meet In Levin

Mr. F. o. Burtt, of shannon, presided over the June meeting of the Horowhenua branch of the New Zealand Educationai Institute, held at Levin. A good repriesentation from the various district schools attended. Mr. Price, of Ohau, and Mr. Foster, of Otaki, were welcomed to the branch. L After routine matters had been 'attended tp, Mr. G, E. Wiseiey gave a report on the last meeting pf the committee of branches, wnich he attended as ihe Horowhenua representative, Mr. Wiseiey was accorded a vote of thanks, Mr. J. Hewitson, Horowhenua repriesentatiye at the annuai meetiing of the N,Z.E,I. in Dunedin, pre'fcented a rePort of proceedings. in addition to the remits which dealt i'wiih purejy domestic matters, Mr. .Hewit'son igave a review hf,,the following remits which caused qon[siderabie controversy : — j (1) That housing and aeconimodation for teachers be a major piank in the executive's programmg, The Horowhenua branch had forwarded this remit and It ,was carried unanimously- by tne r.epresentatives at the conference. ,The main argument used was that promotion for teachers was belng greatly restricted on account of shortage of houses and aecommodation. Other departments tnat provided their employees with houses were cited. (2) That the time has arrived for the setting up of a Royal Com!mission to enquire into the whole j field of education," (3) That the institute approves of State financial aid to private 1 schools. The questioh was keenly Idebated. The sponsors of the re!mit contended that such aia wouia jinevitably interfere with public I schools and create serious administrative and professional problems, !as well as not being in the be'st interests of the majority of tne children. It was felt that if such a course of action was being considered by the Government, then the institute wouid, at the direetion of the annuai meeting, be able to com'bat the guggestion. The remit, on j being put, was carried py a large i majority. | (4) That persons classed as con[Scientious objectors and military idefaulters be permjtted to rejom Ithe teaching profession. After Ibetween "military defau'lters" and |"conscientious objectors," the wording was changea to read: "That persons classed as conscien.tious objectors be permitted to join the teaching profession at tfie discretion of the Govtrnment." (5) That the N.Z.EJ. affirms the principles of child immigration to :New Zealand. I (6) That the executive be empowered to affiliate the institute to the world organisation of the teaching profession. (7) That negotiatlons be consldered- by the executive for the amalgamation pf the three teacher J organisations, the Beeondary Teachers' Assoeiation, Technical 'Teachers' Assoeiation and tha ■ N.Z.E.I. Mr. Cartwright, the teachers' representative ' on the newlyConstituted . Government Superannuation Board, gave a report on the initial meeting. He instructed members to make'immediate appli-. cation to the Government Superannuation Board for benefits underthe 1947 A'ct, such as pupil teacher, propaioner, training eollege student and broken service. The president, after questions had been put forward to the representative, thanked Mr. Hewitson for hi§ full and jnteregting repprt. Before eoncluding, Mr. Burtt sincerely thanked the ladies for thq manner in which they carried out the afternpon tea arrangements at all the branch meetings.