"VERY SMALL."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 987, 30 November 1910, Page 5

"VERY SMALL."

A'QUESTION OF AUTHORITY. "This is very small," remarked the chairman of the Wellington Education Board (Mr.. Robert Lee) yesterday, as ho finished the perusal of a letter from the Education Department on 'the subject of the Training College staff. This was the letter:— "With reference to certain changes in the-staff of the Wellington Training: College, as indicated in your statement of . adjustments ■ for the Juno and September quarters of the current year, I have to point out that the consent of the Minister of Education has not been obtained to these changes. The organisation of the Normal School and t>ho salaries of the staff arc subject to the Minister's approval, and ■ his consent .must therefore bo obtained before the board is at liberty . to. make alterations of oven a temporary character." Clause & of the Training College Regulations referred to by the Department, states that ' 'the organisation of the Normal School and the salaries of tho staff shall be approved by the Minister of Education, but in no case shall the salaries bo less thau those payable under the Education Amendment Act, 1908, and regulations thereunder." The chairman said that this was a matter directly affecting' the authority of the board' over its teachers. Hβ suggested that the Department had shown a disposition to occupy itself with such a small matter as the ■ arrangement of the staff.

Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P., suggested that tho other education boards in tho Dominion should be asked whether they had been subjected to this kind of interference. It - seemed to him that the Department was straining the meaning of the clause. Hβ could see nothing therein which could be interpreted as a warrant for tho intrusion of the Department in matters affecting the personnel of the staff. / Tho chairman thought that it was quite- possible that the Wellington Board was participating in a general punishment incurred by some particular bpwd which might have exceeded or abused -its authority in these matters. This had happened once before in connection with the travelling expenses of members. Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., warned his colleagues to be very careful. "If we don't look out," ho said, "we'll be in tho hands of the Governor-in^Council." After further, discussion, iur. Buchanan's suggestion was adopted, 'it being agreed to defer further consideration of the matter until tho reply of tho other boards on the subject had been received. ~...,■