TEACHERS' SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 5

TEACHERS' SALARIES

STATEMENT BY MR. T. FORSYTH,

"In a recent issue tho Minister of Education replied to my criticism of a statement alleged to have been made 'bv the Minister in tho Budget debate," writes Mr. T, Forsyth, chairman of tho New Zealand Education Boards' Associa-. tion. "I am glad to accept tho Minister's assurance that he was misreported on that occasion, when it was alleged ho had stated 'that the teachers had already received a fiC per cent, increaso in pre-war salaries.' The Minister then went on to-say: 'I cannot agree, however, with Mr. Forsyth's figures. He understates the increases. He has wrongly taken as his starting point the increased falnries payable in 1915, instead of the pro-way salaries of 1911. Mr. Forsyth thus ignores the increases granted in 1915 as a result of the Act of 1914 passed after the war began.' It is true that tho comparison is between tho maxima of 1915 and 1920, but though passed in 1914 and operative in 1915, the increases authorised by the Education Act, 1914, were determined before and on grounds independent of the war. The Act of 1914 was, in fact, pre-war legislation embodying so much of tho recommendations of tho Education Commission of 1012 as Parliament, on the advice of the Minister, was prepared to affirm. Tho evidence before the Commission tendered by education boards, teacliors' representatives, and witnesses independent of both affirmed with practical unanimity that a substantial increase, was an essential condition of tho efficiency of the service. If in place of tho years named dor comparison. 3914-20, the Minister will kindly read pre-war and post-ivar, he will find the statement made to be substantially correct. Tho two examples of increases ho quotes'—namely, the highest grades of increase (IMOO-JM4A) and tho highest grade of assistants (.6290 to .£320, ,£3lo)—happen to show tho greatest increases in the scale, but the maximum of the salaries of the threo lowest grades of' assistants was, on tho other haml, not increased by the Act of 1914. In differing from the Minister as to the rate of payment of our teachers I wish it lo be distinctly understood my criticism is not and cannot mado against him, as lie had dono exceptionally good work for the short time he has held office, and his recent announcement that ho lias arranged for an additional quarter of a million sterling to be added to primary teachers' salaries is further evidence of his determination to improve the pay of our teachers. However, I do want to attack with all my powers tho present system which permits of inequality of payment and treatment accorded to our teachers as compared with the other branches of tne Public Service, as I maintain the service rendered to tho Stato bv our teachers is at least quite equal to that of any other section of the Public Service, and should be paid for accordingly."