TEACHERS' CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 87, 5 January 1918, Page 8

TEACHERS' CONGRESS

- YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS PAID SECRETARY TO BE APPOINTED : The conference'of the New Zealand 'Educational Institute was continued yesterday. Mr. AY. Eudey (Dunedin) presided. Mr. F. L. Coombs (Masterton) moved that a paid secretary should bo appointed. Mr. Coombs said the secretary should have editorial and legal qualifications, and should be paid at least £400 per year. Many present weaknesses would bo remedied by such an appointment. More use could bo made of tho "Journal," and the finances of the association could he improved. If something were not done they would loso their power in the matter of educational reform. The hon. secretary, Mr. H. A. Parkinson, had dono a great deal for the institute. Mr. H. A. Parkinson (Wellington) seconded the motion. Organisation was necessary, and only an improved system of education could savo New Zealand from disaster.

The motion was carried, and it was recommended to the executive that tho salary should be £400. The following remits were enrried: "That it is an improper arrangement that the senior inspector of the district should be a member of tho Grading of Teachers' Appeal Court, seeing that it is his grading that is being appealed against." "That some of the inspectors be women." "That in any system of compulsory education after the age of 14 years it is important to emphasise training for good citizenship, as weil as vocational training.'.' "That clause 18 of the constitution be rescinded with the view of altering the representation as follows:—2s to 75 members, one representative; for every additional 75 members, one additional representative."

Referred to the Executive. The following remits were referred to the executive:— "That N.Z.E.t. set aside £500 as a publicity fund, and that the executive for 1918 secure the co-operation of other bodies connected with education for the purpose of agitating for educational reform." "That the compulsory introduction throughout the Dominion of the decimal system—both ii; money and weight measures—is desirable." "That tho Education Department ho asked to issuo special certificates to those engaged in teaching agriculture, and rural science, and opportunity be given for obtaining them." "That candidates for D or C certificates be granted a criticism of thenpapers if they so desire, on payment of a sum to defray tho cost of such criticism." "That tho Education Department be requested to deduct subscriptions of institute members from their salary and pay same to treasurers of the various branches." "That teachers on active service should receive from tho Education Department sufficient to bring their pay to not loss than 1\ (five-fourths) their salary as teachers." "That it ho imperative that thn_ salaries of teachers be raised immediately, in order to keep pace with the cost of living." "That the attention of the Government be called to the fact that the education service is being starved, beyond what is even justifiable under war conditions."

"Thai if military service boards continue the policy of exempting Marist Brothers from military service. _it is incumbent upon tho Government in the interests of State education to extend exormition. to Stnto ?chool teachers."

"That a, teacher being already a member of the N.Z.E.I. becomes automatically a member of the institute in the district in which the teacher wks on January ] of any voar, and is liable for di'«s to the said institute, and no other." "That the -N'.Z.E.T. sob up a committee to consider after-war education and report upon the necessary amendments to secure truo efficiency in natipnal education." Officers Elected. The following officers were elected:— Presidont. Mr. A. N. Burns, M.A.; vice-president, Mr. C. R. Mmiro; secretary, Mr. TI. A. Parkinson. M.A.; treasurer, Mr. J. E. Purchase, M.A.; non-official members of the executive, Mr. W. H. Newton (North Island); Miss N. E. Cnnd (Wellington Metropolitan area); Mr. F. T. Evans (South Island). This concluded the business, and the conference rose. •