MARRIED TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1919, Page 2

MARRIED TEACHERS

MORE VALUABLE THAN SINGLE.

"At the present time the State make* no difference between the married man and the unmarried,man," said Dr Arthur at the Teachers' Conference held in Sydney recently That was all right, he said, from the economic viewpoint, but it was all wrong from the sociological viewpoint. The married man was of more value and was a more worthy unit than one who did not take upon himself the responsibilities of married life. The State, except in certain cases, did not recognise this. Dr Arthur went on to speak of conditions of married men as they frequently are, and as they should be. Ho declared that there should bo a flat rate of wages for married men. In the Methodist Church, he understood, they Had an example of what might be made a comprehensive scheme. A single minister receiving £IBO per year was granted an additional £9O upon his marriage. The speaker went on to detail his opinions in regard to food, clothing, and recreation, expressing his astonishment ! at the clothing requirements of young -omen as disclosed by the Board of irade evidence. The school teaching tofession was a highly skilled and prominent profession. Its members could i:i bo expected to walk the street in (!):• ;;aro of the lata Mr Chidley, and so, n other matters, the teachers must be assisted to taka their proper places in the eommimitv

After dealing with the care of childDr. Arthur caid that he often

jght that married persons without ibildren should be expected to take —■ ~»' other children. , "~*« bis an elderly bachelor in the i p*S# :aid the doctor "I ..peak" of Sir | Uroini HMfw le come to the conclusion that he torn*) -.iipport a family of between 200 and SOO children." Dr. Arthur concluded by argmg -he teachers to support a movement to direct the Government'.! attention to the claims of married public servants.