A Teachers Union.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 55, 5 August 1890, Page 2

A Teachers Union.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — X wish to call the attention of the teachers of New Zealand, and especially those employed by the Marlborough Education Board to the necessity of combined action to place themselves in a more satisfactory position. Teachers’ Associations in the past, especially those of Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland, have done good work, and the annual conferences ,of delegates from the various educational institutes have resulted in many interesting exchanges of views and thoughtful suggestions to the powers that be. The time has arrived when more is required. Many reforms are essential to the well-being of the profession and the true interests of education. An equalisation of salaries in the various districts according to the importance of the school and length of service; a Board of appeal to which can be referred disputes with the committees and inspectors; $ wclX-thgught-out scheme of pension or retiring allowance; a judicious and well-defined system of appointment and promotion; and many other needful reforms I could mention are matters of such importance that the various district institutes and the whole body of teachers individually, should at once take steps to insure a full discussion of the necessity for wider and more energetic action at the next annual conference at Auckland. Call it by the name of “Union,” or what you choose, the time is now ripe for the formation of a powerful organisation, consisting of every primary school-teacher in New Zealand, whose duty shall be to watch alike the interests of our grand education system and the teaching profession. Are there none among the Marlborough teachers earnest enough in the cause to take this matter into consideration ? Members of the Civil Service are awakening at last to the necessity for combination. Let the teachers of the Colony be forearmed. After years of wilful and wasteful extravagance, there is now a craze for economy, no matter whether it be judicious or not. So far neither the “ Skinflints ” or other honourable members have dared to make such reductions in the Education Estimates as to jeopardise the system and rust the people of New Zealand valueing as the large majority do the education of the young, will speak with no uncertain sound at the coming elections, and declare that, come what may, they will never surrender what is a birthright to all, a free, secular and compulsory system of education. Let the teaching profession do their part, and the issue will never be in doubt. I am, &c., SoHOIiASTIOUS.