NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 2, 3 January 1902, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute was opened) in duo form, by the President, Mr W. H. Clark, 8.A., of Southland, in the Borough Council 01m cabers yesterday, Thursday moraii g. AVout 40 delegatus, representing I e Tevch is' It srilu'e in every part of the colony, were pr<B»nt. His Worship [the Mayor (Mr E. Doekrill), the Hon. R, Caldwell, M.L.C., of Sjuth Australia, who holds a position on thb Council of Education in that Colony, the 1 ical member of the Taranaki Education Bosud, several members of the local School Committe3, several Taranaki teachers, and ,a number of the general public were amongst the visitors present after the opening ceremony.

His Worship the Mayor said it gave him very great pleasure on behalf of the people of New Plymouth to extend to the memoes of the New Z. aland Educational Institute a very hearty welome to the town and district. He trusted that their deliberations would tend to raise the status of those engaged in education, as the position teachers occupied in the esteem and respi-ct of parents was an important factor in the teaciiera' influence over the children, especially in the direction of raising the moral tone, and baaring of the youth of the colony. H s Worship referred to his long experience (nearly a quarter of a century) iu connection with School Committees, to the educational improvements which had taken plxca during that period in primary schools, and to the moral in- ] flueno which the teachers possessed over the childien. He congratulited the primary schools on having attuned fcbegieat object of tducation, which was to enable the mass-,8 to take a correct and comprehensive view of the circums'ances of tbeir environment chruU;h life. He briefly touched on the.-übj ct of tec"ndary e luca'ion, and alluded to r.jo efforts of the Government iu that direction, and in conclusion he again proferred the delegates a very hearty weloome on behalf of the town. (Applause). The President said he had very great pleasure in announcing that they had a distinguished visitor present in the person of Hon. R. Caldwell, who had done good service in the causa of educationin his own colony, whom he would ask to say a few words. The Hon. R. Caldwell, who was very heartily received, said he had seldom he?rd an dddi ess which ho had listened to with greater pleasure than that just delivered by his Worship the Mayor. He was particularly pleasad with his remarks regarding the moral training of the young. As one who was greatly interested in the cause of education he was watching with much interest what was being done in New Zealand, and was very grateful to be able to be present at such an important meeting of those engagsd in the .work of teaching. After briefly referring to what ha J been done in his own colony, now p u't of the great Australian Commonwealth, he said one thing they had to be very careful about, and that was not to destroy individuality of character in the pupil. That wastfce great danger of a national system. From what h. 9 had already seen and heard he was very pleaded with this colony. On one occasion a visitor to Corsica had isaid: "Thiscountry is bound toproduce a great man," and that man had | been produced in the person of the great Napoleon. He would apply this to New Zealand, and from what he had ssen so far the best part of it was Taranaki.; and be was sure with proper training such a district as this must produce greit men. He congratulated them on what had been already done, and hoped their meeting would have a beneficial effect on the cause of education.

Mr. B. D. Stewart, of Auckland, said he had great pleasure in moving a very hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor of New Plymouth for the cordial welcome be had extended to the Institute on behalf of the peop'e of New Plymouth, and to the Hon. R... Caldwell for his! kind remarks. In moving the resolution Mr. Stewart referred to the progress of education in New Zealand and claimed that in this, as in many other things, New Zealand was in the van. This was the only colony where tbe teachers were incorporated by Act of Parliament. He referred to the work already accomplished by the means of the Institute to improve the position and status of teachers, the greatest of which was the Colonial Scale of Salaries Act which passed last session of Parliament. He spoke hopefully of the future and felt sure such meetings as that just commenced were extremely beneficial to tbe educational interests of the colony. The resolution having been seconded was carried amidst loud app'ause. The roll was then called, the following being present: —The president, Mr W. H. 01ark„;B A., of Southland, (in the chair); treasurer, Mr J. G. L. Scott, 8.A., Ohristchureh; secretary, Mr T. H Gill, M.A., LL.B., Wellington; executive, Messrs W, Davidson (Dunedin), R. D. Stewart (Auckland); representatives of district institutes: Auckland--Misses McIlhone and Shrewsbury. M.A., Messrs Murray, Piummor, Orroiston, Walker, Cousins, Newton : Wellington—Miss Lorimer, M.A., Messrs Jackson and Erskine ; Ocago—Miss Hooper, Messrs J. Jeffrey, Smith, Hodge, Flamank; North Canterbury Messrs Brock, Ryder, Sterling, Voss, Wilkinson; South Canterbury Messrs McLood, 8.A., G. Stevens; Southland—Messrs J. F. C. and A. H. Hiddleston, Selby ; Nelson -—Messrs Harkness and Morlsy; Wanganui Meers J. K.Law and G. H. Espiner; Westland—Mr H. G. Wake, 8.A.; Grey—Mr A. J. Wickens; ; Marlborough—Mr 0. 0. Howard; Taranaki - Mr. 0. Johnson,

PRESIDENTIAL ADDSESS. The President then read the usual annual address, tbe chief points in which were as follows :

Colonial Salatie* Act: Since 1889, when a modest resolution whs passed by the institute in favour of a more uniform scale jof salaries, until lust session the subject has annually received greater support until entire unanimity, prevailed in the Council resulting in the removal of one of the great-st blots which has marred the sweeping awa)Jmuchof the '- injustice education system of the colony, and from which so rmny teachers suffered. The blemishes in the Act time and experience will bo remove. Mention was made of the opposition offered to the proposal; and to the f i.et that while the spirit of provincialism was in olhtr matters steadily disappearing in favour of nationalism, little if any progress was being made in that direction ' so far as tbe administration of the Edu-,

catiou Ac>of 1877 was concerned, In j some cases the feeling of excludveness might almost be said to have grown stronger. Owing to the compromise effected when the Act was passed its administration was centred in the Boards, and not even directive power retained bf the Department, which only held the power of the purse sti it>gs. Thanks to the labours of the Royal Commissum and the public spirit of the Government the most injurious anomalies which had arisen wei e swept away; but there still remained some, chief among whioh was appointment and promotion of teichsrs. The dual control by boards and com mittees as to appointment of teachers had led to serious dissatisfaction amongst the teachers, the 13 boards having each placed a different construction on section 45 of th« Act, resulting in chaos so far as hopes of promotion for meritorious service for the majority of teachers was concerned. Mention was made of the various practices of the Boards with reference to the modus operandi adopted in consulting the committees and to cases where committees formed a caucus to wrest from Boards the powers to which they are called upon by the Act to exercise. Very seldom was a committee so constituted as to be able to assess the relative values of certificates and testimonials submitted' by candidates. Occasionally committees have given reasons for their selection, showing that scholastic attainment, educational fitness and experience are not the essentials sought for in candidates. In addition to this the evil of canviesing becomes rampant, a position of affairs never contemplated by the Adt and inflicting in justice on those teachers whose service and proficiency qualified then} for promotion. He deprecated advertisingViKanciesand mentioned that in Victoria, where seniority was the guiding principle of selection, toacbers were periodically classified into eight, divisions by a Board of Classifiers appointed by the Governor in Council, and all promotions are made by the Minister on the recommendation of the Secretaiyfor Education. The schools are also arranged into seven classes, and when|a school rises to a grade above the head teacher's qualifications he is obliged either to raise his certificate within 12 months or to be transferred to another school of the grade to which his certificate entitles him. 'Should the school sink the teacher dots not suffer loss of salary unless he refuses an offer of transfer, every vacancy being offered to the teacher first on the transfer list of the required class. Should no name be on the list the position is advertised, the ssnior applicant being appointed, unless for reasons submitted by the clafsifiars. This avstam was, on the whole, found to work satisfactorily, but a modification was under consideration whereby teaching ability and efficient service will h-we more influence in promotions than hitherto. Under such a system as the Victorian, teachers at one end of the colooy could be transferred to any point, if necessary, and many reasons for such a- course existed, some of wMch were adduced. Under existing conditions, many teachers in Lss favoured districts were eating their hearts out in ever-increasing dissitisfaction ; some, whose removal is a serious loss to the best interests of education, leaving the service, the only course open to them in the face of ever deferred preferment, although more than one Board laments the scarcity of competent male teaohers. Why should the educational service be excluded from the operation of the salutary law of advancement existing in other branches of the public service? Now that the staffs were equalised, the grading of schools and. positions was a natural and necessary corollary. To effect this remedy a conf' reuce of representatives of boards, inspectors, and teachers was suggested, with a view to framing an acceptable scheme. Possibly it might mean the extinction of the boards, but that did not necessarily follow. Boards would work in harmony with one another, and the Department would become an active factor, vitalising and energising the whole. "We should then possess ao education system worthy of the name of 'National,' and well calculated to maintain our fair land in the van of educational progress." A resolution of congratulation on the accession of King Edward was passed, the " National Anthem " being sung with enthusiasm.

On Miss Shrewsbury's motion, a vote of thanks was passed to the Premier and Minister for Education for the interest taken by them in securing the passage of the Teachers' Salaries Bill.

A congratulatory resolution was passed to Hon. W.,0. Walker on the occasion of his receiving the Royal recognition for many services rendered. A resolution expressing the Council's appreciation of the gallantry and devotion to their country displayed by members of the teaching profession who bave served in South Africa was carried unanimously. A committee was appointed to deal with the order of business, and the Council adjourned for lunch.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council resumed at 3 p.m. A resolution was passed, on the 'motion of the President, expressing sympathy with Mrs Grant, widow of the lata Mr George Grant, headmaster 'of Palmerston North school, and regretting tho loss entailed upon education in New Zealand by Mr Grant's death.

The report of the committee appointed to re-arrange the Order PapeiT was read, and the committee granted further time to make a full report, i Messrs Law, Stewart, Hodge, Harkness, and the Treasurer were appoioted a committee to consider accounts and expenses in the recent "WaDganui casp."

After some discussion as to (he powers of the Council to deal with mattors affecting the Constitution of the Institute, Mr C. C. Howard moved the following, remitted from Marlborough: Thai, considering the diverse condi-, tions prevailing in the various educational districts of the colony, it is desirable to accord District Institutes greater freedom of action than can be given them uadßr Constitution 10 or will be afforded them under the Constitution for District Institutes adopted at Wellington last year, and that the executive of the N.Z.B.Lba I asked to consider during the recess the propriety of submitting to the nest conference proposals for modifying Constitution 10 in the direction of giving District Institutes so to manage their local best to teem in view of sfcftncss, sjubject only to conformity to H ( 13, 15,16 and 17 of the JSMi.I. as might Ha effectively new. Oonstitiition, making the j^Kiuary

approval of the; exeeu ive essential to. the validity of any and all bye-laws the District Institutes may propose to adopt. Mr. J. K. law seconded the motion; which was then disoussed at length in committee. On resuming it "as reported that nothing had been done, the motion beicg lost. Mr. Jeffrey mentioned the Otego remit; -T&it the N.Z.E.I. issue tickets of membership, signed by the secretary, these tickets to k)e countersigned by secretaries of District Institutes and to hold good right through the colony. Seconded by Mr. Brock, and lost. The Otago remit:—That only elected members of theN.Z.E.I. be eligible for election to the executive (excepting exofficio members) as fiom Ist January, 1903, was brought up by Mr. Hodge. Seconded by Mr. Selby, and carried on division by 23 to 11. The Council adjourned at 5.30 till 7.30 pan. Bf mim SITTING. The Council resttnWd at 130 p.m. . A telegram from Hon. W. ( 0. Walker, Minister for Education, wishing the Council a successful meeting, was read and acknowledged. On the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Stewart, tie following remit from Wellington was carried ' That in connection with any Court of Appeal case it be made a condition that if facts are brought out at the trial of a caße which lend to the break down of the case, such facts h.wi.' ■•: been wilfully withheld from the Insti tute, the teacher in question be called upon to pay the costs of the action ; and that the teacher be required to agree to this before the cise is taken in band.

Mr T. H. Gill brought forward the notice of motion standing in his name i —That the cobs'itution of the N 2 E.I be altered as follows: Strike out " two months" in the No 15, and insert " three months;" that the Constitution of District Institutes of the N.Z.E.L be altered as follows in No 16 (a) strike out "30th September" and m-j "sert " 31st diy of August •" (b) strike out" Ist day of November"and insert Ist day of October;" fc) add "and secretary of the District Institute shall send within seven days to the secretary of the N.Z.E.I. the name or names of j such' person or persons e'ected." ■ Mr Erakine seconded the motion, which, after a short discussion, was cairied, !

On the motion of Mr Murray, seconded by Mr Erskine, it was resolved ; That--.the Council of the N Z.E.I, do now affirm the desirableness of establishing a fund for the relief of aged and infirm teachers, and for assisting the orphan children of teachers; thst a committee consisting of Messre Erskine, Jeffrey, Scott, Howard, L%w, Selby, end the mover b« set up to bring definite proposals for adoption by this Council. Mr. Holmes moved: That Inspectors should be placed under the Education Department. i Seconded by Mr. Law, and carried unanimously. Mr. Lw moved that the Inspectors should be removed periodically from one Education District to another.

Seconded by Mr. Wilkinson, but after lengthy discussion was withdrawn. Mr. Newton moved .-—That a cods of instructions, similar to that issued in England, be issued by the Education Department for the guidance of i Inspectors. i Seconded by Mr. Wells. ! An amendment was proposed by Mr. Gill, and seconded by Mr, Harknew: That a code cf instructions beissusd I by the department for the guidance of Inspectors as is done in Eoghnd. This was eventually cirried. 4t 9 p.m. the Council adjourned till 19.30 this >noroing.