WOMEN TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION BILL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2268, 30 September 1914, Page 2

WOMEN TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION BILL

STATEMENT OF THEIR CLAIMS. Tho Wellington Association of Women Teachers, while recognising that many wise administrative reforms have been embodied-in the new Education Bill, still. protests - (states a circular letter published by tho association) against the position of the majority of women teachers under the proposed conditions. About 78. per cent, of, women' teachers in the Dominion are in tirades 1 and 11. Many of the teachers who were already iii those grades when the Bill was introduced do not benefit at all. Many teachers in Grade 11, comprising a large number of senior women teacliers, who havo had from 12 to 25 years' experience, have not benefited cither under the Amending Act of 1913 or tho Bill of 1914. It is true., they state, that the salary of this grade was advanced in some cases last year, from £90 to £105. It is true, too, as Mr. Hogben has stated, that only 257 teachers are in this grade under the Bill. As this is the case the Bill leaves out of account a section of teachers—those assistant teachers, capable, certificated, and of 7 to 12 years' experience—who for some time- past have been substituted for two pupil teachers, in our schools. Under this showing, those teachers on exactly the same level as (those) other teachers in. the grade are not- even graded. As this practice of substituting one assistant for two pupil teachers has been in vogue for tome time past, many teachers suffer an injustice Moreover, under this arrangementj, the new teachers appointed, fresh from the Training Colleges, are placed on the same level as those who have been teaching from 7to 13 years. Excluding Grade 1 teachers, however, there are still 600 teachers who do not benefit at all. ■ The maximum raised from £135 to £140 by last years' Amending Act; £5 increase on such a salary, does not satisfy capable and experienced teachers. Many . teachers already in this grade when-the Bill was introduced received no promotion. In it are a largo number of senior women teachers,, with 12 to 25 years' experience, as returns from education boards can show. As a rule tbeso have had long country and town experience. Some, previously, in' the country, have accepted these position* in town schools as the only promotion they could get from Grade I. Others 'finding the prospects of promotion remote eithi;r m town or country have como to towiufor the same salaries as they havo been getting in the country. At present very few positions over £140 arc occupied by women teachers. About 22 per cent, are getting more than that. Excluding head teachers, only 2.3 per emit, can get, a salary of £230. La6tly, thoso senior teachers who have had no increase at all/ aro under the proposed conditions, piaccu* on the same footing as those whom the Bill promotes from Grade I to Grade 11. Tho remedy that wo suggest is'that tho maximum of Grade 11 (£140) bo raised to £180, thus eliminating Grade Illj_ and that teachers of .12 years' experience and over be placed at .the maximum in Grade 11. In making this request for our senior women teachers of ever'l2 years' experience, in Grade 11, we aro not asking for equal pay for equal work. It is a reasonable contention that every capable and experienced Woman teacher, who . has proved her worth, shall iavo. an assured prospect of £180 within lo years. A typist, in a Government Department can get £100 in' eight years, and this without tho, preparation of-tho knocking about from pillar to post in lonely country places, required of women' teaohers. We would respectfully . point out that to do justice to the majority of women teachers it is necessary to make Grade II a fairly good one, .since, after men aro provided for, comparatively few positions out of this grade can be occupied by women, as the figures quoted above prove. The wedding took place at 'St. Peter's Church on Thursday of Miss. E. Jukes to Mr. J. Herbert Barrett, younger son of Mr H. Barrett, of tho Public Works staff. The Rev. Archdeacon Harper performed the ceremony. Tho bride was given away by her only brother, Mr. J. Jukes, of the Expeditionary Force, and was attended by Miss L. Thompson (cousin) and Miss L. Barrett (sister of tho bridegroom). Mr. S. M'Williaru was best man, and Mr. Alfred Williams groomsman. The wedding took place at Patea in St. George's Church of Miss Martha. M. Vincent, third daughter .of Mr. J. Vincent, of Hurley villc, to Mr. Alfred Symes, youngest son or Mr. M. Symes, Kai Iwi. The Rev. A. W.' Payne, vicar of Patea, performed 1 the ceremony. Mrs. Morris, wife of Mr. W. I?). .Morris, Secretary of the Post and /Telegraph Department, who has been ! to America with her husband, returned to- Wellington, via Sydney, ■ by the Moeraki yesterday afternoon. The engagement is announced of Mies Izie Skelley, daughter of Mr/ S. C, Skelley, Carterton, to Mr. Bert Booth; Middle Run, Carterton. Dr. and Mrs. S. M. Sheldon and son are expected to arrive in Masterton on Thursday, and will be the guests of Dr.J. A. Cowio. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., will preside at the annual meeting of the Y.W.C.A. next week. Dr. and Mrs. H. Graham, of County Down, Ireland, arrived in Auckland from Sydney on Sunday, and intend touringtho Dominion. A sale of work was oponed in the Salvation Army Citadel, Newtown, last evening by Commissioner Richards, assisted by the Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke. MISS MILSOM'S CELEBRATED HAIR AND SKIN PREPARATIONS stocked and specially manu. factured to'meet every contingency. Her long and valuable experience is placed free to clients. Evory ailment of tho hair and skin carefully diagnosed, and the necessary preparations sent so that clients can treat themselves in their own homes. For the Hair 6he specially recommends the Lubricant or Scalp Feed, Shampoo Mixture, Pure Herbal Soap, Hair Antiseptic. For the Skin, Culteno Skin Food, Culteno Balm, and Hjgienio Antiseptio Face Powder. Write for price list. No person should neglect their Hair and skin when these wonderful preparations can be so readily obtainable. Address Miss Milsom, Si Willis Street (4 doors, above "Evening Post").. Telephono 814.— Advt. For Weddings.—Appropiate Bouquets for either large or small weddings aro being continually designed, and embody tin) unique distinction of all Miss Slur-, rny's creations. Flowers for all occasions forwarded to any part of i the Dominion by Miss Murray, Vice-Regal Florist, 36 Willis Street.-Advt. ■I—-^~—— ■■ .i'ii ■■"»—