PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 189, 7 May 1940, Page 10

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Mayor Opens Conference ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION Primary school teachers from irll parts of t he Dominion are attending the annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which opened in the Masonic Hail. Wellington, yesterday morning. Tlie retiring president, Mr. D. C. Pryor (Martinborough), wics in the chair. Visitors to the conference included the new Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, the Director of Education, Dr. C. E. Beeby, the assistant-director, Mr. A. F. MeMurtrie, Mrs. Stewart, M.P., Mr. Combs, M.P., the director of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mr. A. E. Campbell, the senior inspector for the Wellington Education Board, Mr. S. Irwin, and the principal of the Wellington Teachers’ Training College, Mr. F. O. Lopdell. In opening the conference, tlie mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, said that though the teachers were meeting to consider their genera] everyday problems they would also no doubt give consideration to those special problems which had arisen irs a result of the war and the general turmoil in the world.

"I trust that your conference will Lie pleasant and profitable,” said Mr. Hislop. “I know that all will co-operate in inculcating into tlie children tr spirit of devotion to the idea’s of liberty and freedom which are at stake in the world today.” A vote of thanks to Mr. Hislop was proposed by Mr. D. Forsyth, a vicepresident of the institute. Minister’s Address. “It is a very happy circumstance to me,” said Mr. Mason, “that tlie first official duties I have had as Minitser of Education have been to make contact with teachers, first in my own electorate and now at. this conference. I say that because I most sincerely believe those concluding remarks of your president in his address relative to tlie importance of the teacher iu tlie scheme of education.” Too much stress, said the Minister, could not be put on the value of the teacher and the importance of his being devoted to his ideals and realizing how much depended on them. He believed that if those sentiments were recognized by . tlie teachers of the Dominion they were a long way on the road to satisfactory results in education. If all could work together inspired by the best ideals, every difficulty would be overcome. On the motion of Mr. Pryor, the following resolution was adopted:—“That this meeting congratulates the Minister of Education on his appointment to that office and assures him of the desire of this institute to co-operate with him in every movement, that is in the interests of education iu New Zealand, During recent years, the institute has been given the opportunity of co-operating In a very real and practical way with the Minister and the officers of his department and the institute feels confident that the present Mii-.ster will continue to afford it the opportunity of such co-operation.” Late Prime Minister.

A motion of regret was passed by tlie conference at the death of,Mr. Savage. Conference expressed its appreciation of the services rendered 'by Mr. Savage to the people of New Zealand and its admiration for his sincere efforts to improve the lot of his fellowmen.

A motion was also passed conveying to Mr. Fraser hearty congratulations on his appointment as Prime Minister, but expressing regret at the necessity for his relinquishing the office of Minister of Education. Thanks were expressed to Mr. Fraser for the outstanding services rendered by him to the cause of education in New Zealand, for the consideration he had at all times given to the representations made by the executive of the N.Z.E.I. and for the manner in which he had allowed the institute to co-operate with him iu the last 41 years. Mr. D. Forsyth was appointed chairman of committees. The conference discussed in committee the financial statement of the treasurer, Mr. J. Barnett (Johnsonville). It was decided to make a loan to the Government, free of interest,- of £lOOO for tlie duration of the war and six months afterward. Effect of the War.

“As soon as war was declarer), the machinery of the institute was placed at the disposal of the' Government if required and representations were made to the Education Department on behalf of members enlisting in Ute military forces,” stated a clause in the report, of • the executive. “The executive regrets that it was not possible to secure teaching pay for soldier teaciters, but failing that, every endeavour was made to secure protection in the rights and privileges of application, appointment, holiday pay, leave and grading. In securing these rights for soldier-teachers, the department and the executive met in a spirit of full and friendly co-operation which has been of considerable, benefit to everyone concerned. Within the institute, plans were also made to safeguard the rights and privileges of soldier-mem-bers and the decision was made to keep those in military service in full membership, the subscriptions to te borne by tiie institute. In addition, arrangements were made for soldierteachers in the group assurance scheme to have their insurance premiums deducted from their military pay.

“1 uforniation was sought from the Soldiers’ Financial Assistance Board, and it was found that assistance may be granted to men serving overseas with the New Zealand Military Forces who, by reason of their undertaking military service, are unable to meet their financial obligations. Tn no ease will the assistance given exceed £156 in any one year. Assistance may be granted for the following obligations: Rent: interest in respect of loans or mortgages or in respect of agreements for the purchase of a dwelling-house or business premises: interest and instalments payable in respect of agreements for the purchase of furniture or other chattels: rates and taxes: insurance premiums. (If the policy was taken out since the outbreak of the war, assistance is limited to policies of £2OO or less; other necessary or reasonable expenses, not being expenses incurred in the purchase of property.)” Other sections iu the report dealt with membership, grading of teachers, superannuation, "National Education.” legal assistance, stalling, teaciiing conditions and consolidation of schools. The report, was discussed in committee.