SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1448, 24 May 1912, Page 3

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS. I'ho third annual conference of delegates to the Secondary Schools' Assistants' Association of New Zealand was held oi Wellington College yesterday, there being present the following delegates :-Mes-rs. R. jr. J.aing (Christchurch), F. V,'. Gamble and D. Watt (Auckland Grammar School); \V. Kerr a , m ' I'" ras - r (Napier High School ), I', l'ootc (I'nlmoivton North High School), R. H. Rockell (Tiniaru High School), A. < . Clifford, A. Ilcinn, and T. lirodie, F. M. Renner, E. Caradus, M. Jl. Dixon, D. Mathosoii, J. Millard, W. Alexander, Tomlinson, and H. JL Smithsoii (Wellington). Mr. R. M. Laing presided. THE ANNUAL REPORT. According to the annual report of tho Executive Committee the condition and general progress of the Association was very satisfactory. The conference of the previous year was representative of 83 members, while the present meeting was representative of a membership of 118. During the year the committee had gone into the question of collecting dnta, from all sourccs in New Zealand, relative to salaries paid, years of experience, time worked after school hours, and average size of classes taught, and recommended the Association to pursue the urgent question of improving the salaries and general professional conditions of the secondary school teachers, during the current year. Another matter dealt with by | the committee was that of superannuation. 'Hie committee had .agreed' to act "J concert with the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Educational Institute in submitting to the Minister for Education a proposal that the retiring allowances bo computed upon the highest average salary aimed in any three consecutive years instead of upon the last three years of service. The deputation, however, could not be arranged. With tho advent of a new Ministry, suggested tne committee, this question of superannuation should bo reopened. ■ Another matter dealt with was the rectification of a flaw in the Teachers' Court of Appeal Act. The financial statement disclosed a credit balance of ,£3l !)s. 7d. The report and balance-sheet wcro adopted. PAPERS READ. An interesting paper on the subject of The Need of Ethical Teaching in Secondary Schools" was read bv Mr. R. Jl. Laing (Christchurch Boys' High School). The speaker stressed the importance of giving systematic attention to the moral training of the young, to tho building up of character, and to the cultivation of dean and healthy minds. A short debate followed, anu tho conference affirmed the question. A paper was also read by Mr. W. Kerr (Napier), in which the speaker discussed certain aspects of the secondary education system, and enlarged upon the possibilities of improving the system in certain directions.

; Mr. F. M. Rennitr (Wellington) contributed a valuable paper dealing witli certain aspects of hygienic physiology in their relationship to the general health (in mind and body) of school boys during tne period of puberty. A short (iiscussion followed, the views of the speaker being heartily endorsed, and it was resolved: "That this association considers it highly desirable that the State should appoint competent instructors for all secondary schools, to give such instruction in certain brandies of hygienic physiology as safeguard the children and help to develop the best type of citizen." COLLEGE CADETS. Arising out of some reference to the training of senior cadet companies attached to secondary schools, a sub-committee was set 1!J) 10 report, and later submitted tho following recommendations, which wero adopted:— "1. That the senior cadets cf high, schools should bo 011 a different footing from ether senior cadets, as tho conditions are different. "2. That headmasters should consult with the Defence Department with regard to the formulating of schemes in reference' ; to training, shooting, and camps. "3. That half-day-parades should, if re- ■ tained, ho held on school days. Noie.— We are of opinion that all drill should be held during school hours, as is already the case in some schools. "4. Thai; there is a crying need for an. adequate number of instructors. "5. That Table B, Jlusketry Regulations, is far too involved and complicated to he carried out." A CO-OPERATIVE ALLIANCE. The conference discussed at some length a proposal that the Executive Committee of the association should confer with tho Executive Committee of the New Zealand Educational Institute with regard to the f/ypshon of an affiliation of interests. Tho majority of the speakers did not re<rard the proposal favourably, the principal objection being that such a step would .involve the loss of their independence. It; was agreed that a basis of co-opera-tion was desirable, and with this object in view the Executive Committee is to confer with the executive of tli-e Teachers' Institute. SUPERANNUATION On the motion of Mr. Martyn Rennet, it was affirmed that a university student should count his years of training at a university college as years of service towards superannuation, thus enabling male teachers at secondary schools to retire'on completing 35 years, if they so desired. OBITUARY. A mark of respect was paid to the memory of the late Mr. J!. A.' M'Cullough (Dunedin), a former member of the executive, the conference standing in silence. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. • The election of the Executive Committee resulted as follows:— President, Mr. A. Heine (Wellington); , vice-president, Miss Alexander (Dunedin); secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. Martvn Renner (Wellington); auditor, Mr. E. Oaradus (Wellington); additional members of the executive, Messrs. R. 11. , Rocke, T. Brodie, and A. C. Gifford (Wellington), and J. Diummond (Auckland). OTHER MATTERS. It was decided to support the Daylight 1 Saving Bill. Mr. H. A. Parkinson, secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute, was a visitor during the afternoon, and con- ; veyed fraternal greetings from his insti- ! tute. He was cordially welcomed.

■A resolution was carried to the effect that the. Government be urged to make a regulation effect that secondary school classes shall not contain more than ii pupils; and to grant such capitation as will enable boards to pay salaries tin a scale not lower than hitherto. It was decided to hold the next confer-

ence at 'Wellington, in September, 1913, if possible, and after the customary acknowledgments tho conference adjourned.