EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1921, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION’] . WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. A proposal that the teachers of the Dominion should form themselves into

a union was before the conference of the Educational Institute. A remit from the Auckland branch was to the effect that the time was opportune for such action and that the executive should be instructed to take steps to secure the necessary amendment of the Arbitration Act to extend teachers the same privileges under the Act as are extended to railwaymen. Mr Law (Auckland) intimated that be wished to withdraw the remit in

favour of one from Horowhenua: — “That the institute he formed into a union.” “Circumstances had altered the case. We feel that the proposal for' a union should not some from us.” he' said. Mr i A. Hall (Auckland) said that after the great advantages the .Minister had given the institute he hoped Wellington would also withdraw its remit. Mr W. L. Foster (Wellington) said he would move the remit sent by Auckland. He was not of revolutionary ideas, but desired to raise the status of teachers. The State should take a leaf out of the book of the private employer. It should be a model employer and not ask men and women to work under conditions which would not be tolerated in private enterprise. They should be. able to submit proposals to some tribunal which would adjudicate on them in a reasonable and just way. Members who carried the education fabric were not being paid adequately for services rendered, but were absolutely underpaid. They needed effective machinery, not only to make demands, but to see that those demands rceived fair treatment. Mr H. J. Jones (Horowhenua) seconded the motion. They were the only body of workers in the world that had no say in fixing their wages and conditions of work. Mr It. Harrison (Auckland) said that it was the most important question that ever had come before them, and if it were not settled satisfactorily disruption in the service would follow. After discussioii it was decided to take the. remit in two parts. The first was that the time was opportune for the formation of a union of teachers. Mr Hall (Auckland) regretted the retention of the word “union,” because the word to some people was synonymous with waving a red flag and wear-

ing a red tie. The word would create unrest. Mr F. Gj Gibb (Nelson) strongly opposed the remit. Delegates shamefacedly supporting the remit had spoken against the word “union” and then proposed to raise the status of ttachers by this means. The conference will resume the debate to-morrow.