TEACHERS' DISABILITIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 28 August 1913, Page 5

TEACHERS' DISABILITIES.

INTERESTING- CORRESPONDENCE. As a result of the ... meeting of teachers held in Masterton recently the following correspondence has been received by the secretary of the Wairaripa branch' of the Teachers' Institute (Mr D. E. Leslie): — . From iffr W. C. Buchanan: "I beg to enclose a communication juet received from the Minister of Education which I think makes it quite clear that although from lack of sufficient time he is unable to introduce such a comprehensive scheme of reform as 1 is admittedly required, he is quite clear and explicit as to his pledge to do so next session. Personally lam quite satisfied of this, although, of qourse,, I regret the delay. I may also add that I am not without hope that he will be able.before the session is over to see his way to "do somewhat more than is indicated in the Budget, and in his letter herewith." . •

Minister's leter to Sir W. C. Buchanan: "Inreplyto th'e representations Mr Sykes and yourself placed before me on the 20th-inst. from the teachers' deputation that waited upon- you at Masterton recently with refere&pe to school teachers' salaries, 1 wo®-in the first instance refer you to the paragraph on the subject in the Financial Statement. Tile whole question is receiving careful consideration and further proposals dealing with both staffing ajid salaries will be submitted to Parliament early next session. In addition "to the concessions announced in the Budget, I am quite prepared to protect for another year those teachers who may be reduced in salary through a falling off in attendance, so as them over until legislation is brought down next year; but beyond this, I cannot see my way to go at present. With regard to the - computation of superannuation to accede to the request of theteachers 'that superannuation be granted on Ihe best three years'would raise a question as to whether it would be fair, that the contributions should be on the higher rate of pay irrespective of the reduction of salary, and I do not know that this would suit all (contributors to the fund. I shall, however, be glad to look-further into the suggestion. I'have forwarded a similar letter to Mr Sykes.".

From G. 3t. Sykes, Es., MP. : "Sir W. Buchanan informs me that he has forwarded you a njerao. from the Minister of Education with regard to matters that were brought under my notice in Masterton recently, and ljence there is no necessity for my sending to you a similar memo ■ that I have receiyed on the same subject. i&Seording to promise made to you yesterday, with regard to teachers' falling salaries on account of attendance, I again waited, on the Minister, this morning jand he assures me that all-salaries will be protected as from January Ist, 1913. Since writing the above, I have received a further memo. from the Minister, whjoh I enclose."

Minister's memo, to G. R. (Sykes, Esp., M.P.: "It is the intention of the Government ifo introduce thi® session legislation (or to make regulations as the case may be) to provide for the following(1) Increase of the annua] increments to teachers' salaries as shown in the last column of Part 11. of the first schedule to the Education Amendment Act, 1908, from £5 to £10; (2) increase of salary to the lower paid secondary assistants in district high schools; (3) increases of salary to certain of the assistants in the normal schools; (4) extension of the interval between the fall in grade of a school and fall in salary from two years to three yeara to take effect from January ldt, 1918."

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