SECRETARIES CONFER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 48, 25 January 1938, Page 6

SECRETARIES CONFER

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. WELCOME TO CITY. A conference of North Island branch secretaries of the New Zealand Educational'lnstitute was opened in Palmerston North to-day and will conclude to-morrow. No fewer than 23 branches are represented, the purpose of the gathering—-the first of its kind —being to enable an interchange of ideas to be made, with discussions on branch organisation and matters affecting the teaching profession generally. 1 iie conference was convened by Mr D. C. Pryor (acting general secretary). Mr T. Kane (Foxton). vice-president of the institute, is presiding and the delegates present are:—Miss J. AY. Coombs (AVellington), Miss C. M. Rains (Bay of Islands), Messrs P. A. Eaton (Opotiki). C. Hawkes (J'.gmont), C. H. McKenzie (Northern AVairoa), C. J. Bishop (Southern Hawke’s Bay), S. Sims (Ruapehu), K. B. Dawkins (Manawatu), J. Taylor (Central Hawke’s Bay), E. Nielsen (Hastings), N. AY. Gilling (Matamata), L. H. Joblin (Rotorua), Clift (Ilorowhenua). A. L. Baker (AVaikato), G. H. Percy (South Taranaki), A. Breward (AA’estern Bay of Plenty), R. McMurray (Napier), N. Riske (AVellington Federation). J. E. AVillett- (Marlborough), A\. S. Bestie (Nelson), McKinley (Thames), Harper (Rangitikei) and Smith (North Taranaki;. Prior to the opening this morning a welcome to the delegates was extended by the Mayor, (Air A. E. Alansford), who said that Palmerston North, by reason of its geographical position, was a popular centre lor conferences, and every endeavour was made on all occasions to make visitors feel at home. He expressed the hope that the discussions would result in the finding of solutions to many of the problems which confronted educational authorities. New Zealand had reason to be proud of its teaching profession ; it had performed a wonderful work. There was nothing so important—no investment more worthwhile —than education, and he hoped that before long primary education would be placed on a better footing. So far the Government had promised a lot, but had done little. Air Alansford added that as an unsuccessful candidate for Parliament at the last election he had advocated the establishment of a national board of education, and he was more convinced than ever that such a board was necessary. In returning thanks. for the welcome. Air Kane said it was' pleasing to find public men so interested in the cause of education. Palmerston North, lie added was a big educational centre, and the Alanawatu branch of the institute was one of the soundest in Now Zealand.