MARRIED OR SINGLE?

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10314, 25 January 1927, Page 5

MARRIED OR SINGLE?

APPOINTMENT OF WOMEN TEACHERS. NELSON BOARD DISCUSSES THORNY PROBLEM. NELSON, Jan.,24. The principle of giving preference in the appointment as teachers to single Avomen as against married women, Avas continued at the Nelson Education Board meeting to-day. The question arose Avhen the appointment of a teacher for a special class for backward children Avas under discussion. The Board had sent a list of applicants to the Department, avlio forwarded two names for selection, a married woman being placed first and a single Avoman second. The chairman (Mr F. W. O. Smith) said that on general principles he Avas always opposed to married women being appointed when they had husbands to maintain them. It Avas different if a woman Avas *a widoAv, or had a sick husband to support. In these circumstances the Board had made exceptions. In ans Aver to a question the senior inspector said the married applicant had outstanding qualifications. Children, he said, should be .considered. Mr Harris said lie believed in the principle, but this A\*as a case Avhero an exception should be made. Mr Scantleburv moved, and Mr Wilkens seconded, that the single Avoman be appointed. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, who agreed with the inspector, said that children should be considered, and moved an amendment that the married Avoman be appointed. In seconding the amendment Mr Harkness said he considered that an applicant with outstanding ability, whether married or not, should be appointed. On a show of hands, tlie amendment Avas lost, only the moA*er and Mr Harris supporting it. The chairman did not vote.—F.A.