MUSIC TEACHERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1926, Page 4

MUSIC TEACHERS.

REGISTRATION WANTED

AVELLINGTON, May 31

The Hon. R. A. Wright, Alinister of Education, was asked to-day by a deputation of musicians to take chat go of the Alusic Teachers Registration Bill and endeavour to have it passed durin tho coming session.

AH Robert Parker, the spokesman, said that the Professional Teachers’ Society, which represented over a thousand music teachers throughout the Dominion, desired to sec tbs profession given the status it deserved. As a preliminary to any scheme improvement it was essential that a qualified teacher should be recognised as trained and efficient, and that lie should he distinguished in the public mind from a charlatan. In other piofessions registration was compulsory. “We don’t want to deprive anybody who is now working as a teacher from teaching.” said Air Parker. ‘‘What we want to do is to safeguard the public.” Air Wright: What will happen if this Bill becomes law to those who may he inefficient k Air Parker: They will he allowed to continue. We aim to deal with unqualified people who come after. Af r Wright said lie would not make a promise"that such a Bill would Tie passed- It was a matter upon which the whole Cabinet should act, not merely a private member, lie would lay the measure before his colleagues. In acknowledging the congratulations of the deputation upon his accession to Cabinet rank, Afr AYright said: “1 am not going to make promises. T have been long enough in public life to know that when a man has not supreme power it is dangerous for him to make promises. Were I a benevolent autocrat I would be able to say something definite as to what I will do. It is unwise for n .Minister to make promises because froqivmtly it is impossible for him to carry them out. 1 have seen that, not only in politics, but in local body affairs. Unless T know beforehand that I can definitely make a promise, I will not do so. T will reply straightforwardly to representations which may lie made to me, and thereafter matters must be considered by Cabinet.”