HIGH SCHOOL SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 225, 17 June 1919, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL SALARIES

The Secondary School Assistants' Association has published a manifesto—from which we quote in our columns to-day—relating to their conditions as regards pay and promotion. They certainly, it', would seem, have some cause for complaint when .one considers that the average salary of a male secondary assistant ranges from £241 in 1912 to ,6284 in 1917, and for a woman from £-158 to £193. It is not surprising to be told in times like the present that private coaching is necessary to make ends meet. But whether, the finances of the country, having regard to other calls upon the national exchequer, are strong onough' to meet in full the increases they demand is another matter. There is no doubt that the question of education has acquired a new and greater importance in view of the grave problems which have been created or accentuated by the war, and the public is disposed to regard quito seriously the proposition that money well spent in education is a good investment. But the question of cost has to be none the less seriously weighed. The secondary school assistants are asking for a minimum for men of £250, rising through successive grades and by annual increments to £700, and for women from £200 to £500. This represents, to take their own figures, an increase of £49,030 a year on the 1919 basis of capitation, of £53,955 on tho 1920 basis, and' of £57,193 on the 1921 basis. This is a large sum for a branch of the profession numbering only some 300 odd, and they must not be surprised if they are fold that they are asking too much. That_ they are entitled to a substantial increase seems clear enough, and it is to be hoped that their case ■will receive clue and favourable consideration.