WOMEN TEACHERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1924, Page 4

WOMEN TEACHERS.

ANNUAI; CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, May 19. The Women Teachers’ Association held its annual conference to-day, delegates from all parts of the Dominion being present. The president, Miss N. Coad, delivered nil interesting address, in which was contained points of interest to women teachers. A resolution was passed protesting against the action of the Department in bringing into operation a salary scheme which involved such important adjustments without giving teachers time to consider it. Miss Park said that at the end of the year, when the scheme was brought down, all teachers were busy with the end of the school work, and would have had to neglect this in order to deal with the salary question. A sub-committee was set up to report upon the scheme. After some deliberation it gave a very comprehensive report on the results which would accrue from the introduction of this scale. Miss Finlavson (Canterbury) gave a number of details showing just how these new regulations would result. Summing up, she said that in Wellington there would be a loss in salary of £24,310 in five years among women teachers, and a gain of £3030 in 134 positions, making a net loss of £•21.280. This, of course, would not lie the actual loss, as all teaelners would not move, but the probable loss would be about £II,OOO. Men assistants would lose also, but not so much. It was clear, after gains as well as losses had been totalled up, that tl\e Department was going to save a considerable amount froni the salaries of teachers, especially women teachers. In consequence of this report Miss Park moved that the Department be urged to rescind the new salaries, because (1) the scale is based on a diflercntiation in the scale for male and female assistants; (2) the scale constitutes a further cut, and is therefore contrary to the spirit and intention of the l.cgislatur; (3) the Department has given no adequate reason for rejecting the Kaiie-llilton scheme. Remits were passed as follows: That the New Zealand Women Teachers’ Association protests against the invidious differentiation recently introduced by tile Education Department in respect of salaries to be paid to men and women teachers for services of equal value to the State. That the Minister lie assured that no scheme based on a differentiation in basic salary of men and women will be acceptable to members of this Association. That the decrease in salaries i i women teachers in Grades I and > causes a double hardship, for not i td.v has the maximum of their present positions decreased after having 1i • • Loon affected by the salary cut. but seeing that promotion is closed to ibelli their superaimation allowance is thereby considerably lessened. That the needs of the intelligent but null-academic child are still being very inadequately provided for, and '.liil the Depart nent he urged to make the needed provision without delay. That the attention of the .Minis-... 1 !' be drawn to the fact that the various Boards follow the practice of advertising vacant head-tencherships as headmasterships, thus precluding women teachers from the chance of promotion. It was stated that throughout .\Vv Zealand there was a feeling that women were not being given a square deal in tliiij. matter. It was monstrous that Education Boards should be allowed to‘advertise these positions ex.i -Gr as they chose. There was something wrong with the system which allow. 1 i rewards to be a matter of mw and not of merit.

It was also agreed that the iloii'-s of labour lor children before and alter school be limited in such a way us to .safeguard tile interests of the • ■hilil. That other things being equal, this Association considers that the interests of our girls will be best served b\ tin- appointment of a practical and experienced domestic science inspector who understands Colonial conditions. That it is advisable that some system of parallel progression lie introduced whereby teachers desirous of becoming infant mistresses may I-e enabled to concentrate on work widen falls to the lot of an infant iid-.l 1 - >ss. and that promotion should lie attainable while they are so engaged.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. .Miss B. C'arnachan (Auckland), vice-presidents. Miss ,T. Baylav (Auckland) and Aliss Morgan (AVellington) ; lion, secretary. Mi-s C. J. Flalt ; lion, treasurer, Aliss A. Afeiizies (Cliristlnirch) ; commit lei". Alisses Newton and Tho.mnsnn (North Island), Robertson and Patrick (.Soutil Island). Edwards ( Wellington); life member. Aliss Chaplin.