TEACHERS SUPPORTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 411, 20 July 1928, Page 7

TEACHERS SUPPORTED

BF.LMONT SCHOOL DISPUTE BANKING SCHEME CONDEMNED The action of the teachers of the Belmont School in opposing the institution of a school banking scheme was endorsed by a meeting of 200 parents last evening. There was a certain warmth at some stages of the meeting, which was pre- j sided over by Mr. A. X. Williamson. Tihe chairman explained that the. i meeting was called that the parents might learn what the scheme was, :in) the reason for the teachers’ objection , to it. The chairman of the school commit- j tee, Mr. E. Lilly, had been invited to attend, but ho replied that he would not come. It was announced from the back of the hall that Mr. Lilly was present. “Then perhaps he will come forward,” said the chairman. Mr. Lilly obliged and mounting the platform said he had previously decided not to attend because he thought he had been treated discourteously in not being asked to convene the meeting. He went on to say that the school savings bank scheme had the endorsement of the Headmasters’ Association land the Educational Institute, both of | which should know what was in the j I best interests of the children. I It. was not true that he or liis com* ! mite© had criticised the headmaster or I staff in public because they were not j lin favour of the scheme. There was minor uproar in the hall j j following this, someone declaring that. | the meeting had more faith in the ; headmaster than in the chairman of j tli© committee. I “That is your opinion,” retorted Mr. I Lilly. Mr. H. J. Preston, a member of the J committee, said that the trouble was ] a, personal affair between two people. ! Mr. Lilly had gone to the newspapers with the one object of holding the staff ! up to scorn because of its attitude. “DOMESTIC MATTER” “This is a domestic matter and it should not have been blazoned over the ; province,” said Mr. R. Harrison, headmaster of the school. Mr. Harrison explained that his j main objection to tlie scheme was it. s unfairness to the children. It would create class distinction, a sentiment i they had striven to eliminate. "I do not wish the poor child to be distinguished from the rich on banking day,” added Mr. Harrison. Speaking on behalf of the staff, Air. T. X. Hewlett said the staff had not been dominated on the question by the headmaster. If the, parents wanted the | scheme after its weaknesses had been explained, the teachers would willingly institute it. A motion condemning the banking I scheme, and endorsing the attitude of ! the teachers was carried with only ! three dissenting voices.