EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Taihape Daily Times, 21 September 1918, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

'.■' -MEETING OF CENTRAL. ;. COMMITTEE. On Saturday the first meeting ot delegates • representative of the three "branches operating within the Wauganui Educational District was held at the Marton Technical School . The following delegates were present: ManaWatu, Messrs Campbell and Law; Ruapehu, Messrs Goldsbury, Warden and Thurston; Wanganui, Messrs L de Berry and Swinbourne. I

Messrs Low and Campbell were appointed chairman and secretary respectively, each officer to hold his appointment for one year. OBJECT OF THE CONFERENCE. The chairman stated that the present conference was held as the result of a resolution passed by the Manawatu Branch. The idea in view was that of co-ordinating and consolidating the work of the respective branches.

THE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN. Mr. Low outlined the aim of the work done by the Manawatu. branch. Members had waited upon various public bodies, all of whom, with one exception, had given a lift to the campaign work as initiated by the Institute.

Mr. Campbell referred to the assistance rendered !>y tlie Press. The work done preparatory to the visit of Professor Hunter was briefly indicated. The resolution passed unanimously at that meeting was read, as also were the Minister's replies to same. Mr. Goldsbury, Ruapehu, reported that the management committee had circularised M.'s P. and had approached the Borough Council, Tradesmen's Association, and the Plunkett Society. In all cases sympathy was shown towards the work of the Institute in the prosecution of its publicity campaign. The speaker stated that the Press in nis district had given valuable assistance. SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION AND INSTITUTE. 'A scheme put forward by the School Committees' Association was explained to the meeting. The object of the proposal is to bring pressure to bear upon the Government that they give effect to urgent current educational: reforms. It is proposed in view of tho scheme to hold simultaneous mass meetings under the joint auspices of the Committees' Association and tne Teachers' Institute, resolutions from these meetings to be forwarded to every member of Cabinet. Mr. L. de Berry, Dominion" vicepresident N.Z.E.1., stressed the urgency for vigorous action if the campaign was to be successful. They had to hit hard now. M.'s P. were, on the whole, opportunists* not statesmen with an educational vision, consequently they bad to be literally pushed into activity. The success of the campaign would be determined, therefore, by the momentum given to that push through the work of individual Institute members. The keynote of the day was progress. RESOLUTIONS. The following resolutions were carried:—

1., That this delegation suggests that the Manawatu teachers combine "with the School Committees' Association in their proposal to advance the cause of Educational reform through the agency of mass meetings." 2. That in order to prosecute vigorously the Educational Campaign two speakers he appointed from each branch these to be sent round the districts as a commission.

3. That Institute subscriptions be paid through the Board should suitable arrangements be arrived at. 4. That the Manawatu Branch be congratulated upon the work it has done in the present movement~£br reform.

5. That th 6 secretary write to the Board requesting that teachers be supplied with free cheque books as is done in other educational districts. 6. That the Central Committee meet quarterly and that the secretaries, and treasurers of each branch be asked to attend.

Letters of Enquiry re Prof. Results. —lt was decided that this matter should be deferred for consideration jintil the next conference between Inspectors and teachers. Promotion of Pupils from PIV. to Standard I. —Infant teachers were invited to discuss the question of promotion of PIV pupils to Standard I, such promotion being made half-way through the year.

It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Marton Junction «m Saturday, November 30th.