THE EXEMPTION OF SCHOOL TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 29, 29 October 1917, Page 4

THE EXEMPTION OF SCHOOL TEACHERS

The action of the Legislative Council in rejecting the clause or the Expeditionary Forces Bill providing for the exemption of school toachers from military service may lead to a deadlock between tho two branches of tho Legislature over this measure. The clause, it will be recalled, was inserted on tho motion of Sir Joseph Ward," who specially stressed tho fact that if exomption were not given to all teachers it should at least bo extended to teachers of certain Churoh schools. Tho House was closely divided on the question, and tho clause was finally inserted by 36 votes to 32. _ The Legislative Council has now rejected this proposal by 11 votes to 4, only three councillors voting with the Minister in charge of the measure. In ordinary circumstances the narrowness of the majority-in the House of Representatives in support of tho proposal compared with the nearly thveo to ono majority against it in tho Legislative Council would naturally lead to the conclusion that there was little prospect of the clause becoming law. This view is strengthened by'the fact that school' teachers generally have not sought exemption as a class, and, ae pointed out by tho executive of tho Now Zealand Educational Institute to-day, they do not regard the proposed amendment of the law with favour. But tho fact has to be recognised that in moving tho insertion of the exemption clause Sir Joseph Ward treated tho matter as ono of great importance, and apparently he holds strong views concerning it. In consequence it may be expected that he will strain every endeavour to'se.cure a reversal of the Council's action. Should the Council, as seems likely, adhere to its decision, there may be a deadlock. Tho Government does ' not appear to have any settled view on tho question, some Ministers voting for the proposed exemption and some against. With opinion so strongly divided, and with public sentiment opposed to sectional or class exemptions, the simple way out of the difficulty would seem to be to leave the issue to the tribunals appointed to decide such questions on the broad grounds of national interest. There can be no doubt that it is necessary that our schools, whether private or public, should bo maintained at a proper standard pi efficiency; just as it is necessary m tho national interest that the production of our farms should be maintained at as high a standard as possible. The Government bas taken somewhat belated steps to ensure that tho, farms shall not be further depleted whore the existing labour is necessary to ensure' the proper working of the farm; and there is no reason why it should not make similar provision to safeguard the welfare of ou 5 schools by laying down a general policy and leaving the military boards to decide the individual cases on their.mctits.