WOMEN TEACHERS' ASSO CIATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 6

WOMEN TEACHERS' ASSO CIATION

SALARIES AND WOIIK. A meeting of the Wellington branch of Hie Women Teachers' Association was held in the Education Buildings last ■ evening. Miss Coad (president) occupied In commencing the business of the evening, Miss Coad read a letter from Miss M'leaii, principal of the Arlington Girls' College, in which sho accepted the position of vice-president of the association. Miss Coad also made- the announcement that the teachers ;of the Girls' Collego had decided to join the association and their organisation was now practically a combined body representing the secondary and primary teachers of Wellington. If this example wero followed, as alio hoped it would bo by other secondary teachers important developments might result from the union. It had often been said that women could not co-operate, could not co-ordinate their energies. She hoped lo shu-v cavillers that such an idea was ißttigethcr a mistaken one. The following motion was brought forward for discussion.:-"Thnt in schools of grades x and upwards, the first assistant woman should receive a salary equivalent to that of tlio infunt mistress, and that she should be recognised as first woman in her own department.''' Miss Achcsun thought 'hat as . the work of the first woman assistant and (.ho infant.mistress was so dissimilar the matter required some careful consideration. At present the former was usually in chiirgo of cither standard IV or V, and the work could not be placed on tho same footing as that of the infant mistress. No one could;say that it was not important nor unworthy of a good salary; simply, it was totally different, l'ersonally she was for any movement or suggestion that would .nnko for the advancement of women teachers, but they had to look at things from all sides. Another point Miss acheson stressed was that in talking of increased calaries, they had to remember that greater responsibilities'went with tho -.ncreuse. Sho also thought that it might be well that this particular motion should be brought beforo tlio main institute so that the headmasters might consider it as well as the Women's Association. A letter was read 1 from Miss Phoebe Mvers expressing agreement with the greater part of'tno motion, and suggesting one or two pints she thought might bo considered. • Finally tho motion was amended to read;—'' That in schools of grades 5u and upwards, the first assistant woman should receive a salary equivalent to that of the infant mistress, and that she should 1)0 recognised as first woman and should have special responsibilities." Another motion brought forward and carried unanimously, was:—"That this meeting of the Women Teachers' Association (Wellington branch),-including primary and secondary women teachers is strongly of opinion that in the interests of education it would be unwise to further increase tho discrepancies already existing between, men and women teachers, and tlint, therefore,'equal salary increases should bB given to men n..d women; further, as the increased cost or living affects tho single women as much as it does the single men, then salaries should bo equal, allowances being given to such men and women where there are dependants," A third motion dealt with was to the following effect:—"That provision similar to that made for separate intunt schools should be made for a more liberal staff for the infant department of mixed I schools.'*

In discussing the motion, Miss Finlayson said that the word .iberal seemed out of place as applied in any way to our education system, whether it were in respect to staffing, salaries, or school equipment. Tho reform they looked to in the not very distant future was that llie infant department in the larger schools should become separato infant schools with separate playgrounds, buildings, equipment, and staffs. And amendment was brought forward suggesting that all schools in grade 5c und upwards, tho infant department should become separate independent infant schools. Upon being put to the voices the amendment was lost and the original niolacn carried. A further motion was carried that resolutions 1 and 2 should bo forwnrded to f ho Board of Governors of the Wellington Girls' College,' the Education Department, and tho Education Board.

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