The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1914. TEACHERS' SALARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 30, 25 June 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1914. TEACHERS' SALARIES.

Considering that the real progress of the State depends more upon education than upon any other single force it would seem imperative as well as politic that the men and women called upon to mould the character and intelligence of our future citizens, and, in a measure, affect the destiny of the Empire, should be of the right type to accomplish the task. It is recognised that the average salary paid to teachers is absolutely and relatively inadequate—absolutely because it compels the teacher to live a narrower life, both socially and mentally, than is good for the influence which he is required to wield; and, relatively, because, with equal capacity, a man can secure a muck better remuneration in other professions. The question of low average salaries and restricted prospects of promotion is not confined to New Zealand teachers, for it is a burning question in the Homeland, where the present unattractiveness of the teaching profession is now standing in the way of educational reform owing to the dearth of elementary teachers, the number, of bursars and pupil teachers from which classes the certificated teachers are mainly drawn, having fallen from 11,018 in 1000-7 to 4,308 1912-13. In England thero is only one headmaster receiving more than £SOO a year, while two are paid leas than £SO, the average salary paid to masters being £146 and to mistresses £lOl. In New Zealand the average salary of teachers is said to be £134 8s Bd. It is a remarkable fact that though the teaching staff is doing the most important work of the State, yet it is the lowest paid. In the first division of the railway service, out of 1874 persons employed, 781 receive £2OO or over, 87 receive £3OO or over, 30 receive £4-00 or over, and 13 receive £SOO or over. In the Post and Telegraph Department, omt of 3804 persons in the first division 022 receive £2OO or otoi', 108 receive £3OO or over, 46 receive £4OO or over, and 25 receive £SOO or over. In the teaching profession there are 4408 employed; of those, 617 receive £2OO or over, 110 receive £3OO or over, and only seven receive £4OO or over. Such are figures quoted by one of the teachers at the Canterbury Educational Institute recently, and in view of the average wage of enginedrivers being £l7l 12s Od, and carpenters £l4B 4s Id, teachers have just cause for complaint at their inadequate remuneration. It must be remembered that the demands on the teachers have been continually growing, and that the standard of education has risen and become far more comprehensive than formerly was the case. A teacher to be successful as a citizen maker, mut be animated with high ideals and keep himself*well informed on the' important movements and problems of the day. There is no class of community that needs proper encouragement and inducements than teachers, yet the bitter gall of disappointment at inequality of treatment is theirs. If they are to do the great work with which they are intrusted, their . services should not only be thoroughly appreciated, and should be adequately remunerated. Again and again they have been promised justice, but are still looking for the day when their claims ! will be met. A mite of benefit was dol- ! Ed out to a few teachers last year, and > the great majority are looking anxious--1 ly for their increase this year. The 1 Government should see to it that these : worthy and faithful servants of the State should have their due without further delay, otherwise it may be that the parents will at last rise to the occasion and be a compelling force that n> Government can resist. The issue is too vital for more temporising, and the time for action is now.