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CONCERTS AT BOSBURY. I

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I'LIBERAL FANCY DRESS BALL…

jBOSBURY. I

DYMOCK.I

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- ILEDBURY BOARD OF GUARDIANS.…

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THE TEACHERS' STRIKE. 1

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THE TEACHERS' STRIKE. 1 There is practically no change in the dispute between the teachers and the Local Education Authority. Up to the present the National Union of Teachers have banded in 227 resignations. It was stated last week that several withdrawals had been made, but the Union declare that they were made quite early in the dispute, prior to the present action of the Union. A statement has been made this week at the Hereford office of the Local Education Authority that further withdrawals of resignations bad been received, and that a considerable num- ber of applications had been received for vacancies. It is, of course, obvious to all that the Local Education Authority will make all the use it can of any applications received, in order to shako the confidence of the teachers in their Union:; but it is equally obvious to all that no teacher of any si aud ing whatever, or any grain of honour, would take the place of one of his fellows in such a dispute as this, and it is my opinion that if the teachers will only stand firm they cannot but win. The position is like this Herefordshire, as well as many better paying authorities, has been advertising a very long time in vain for teachers to fill vacancies, and occasional vacancies have only been filled by taking those who chose to apply. Ledbury is an instance at hand. Three teachers left the Boys' School in September. One vacancy was filled in October and another (a lady teacher, which points to a scarcity of male applicants), in November, and the third vacancy has not yet been filled. Now we are told there will be no difficulty in filling all the places. Don't you believe it. The teachers who are apply- ing will, I am sure, be such that the parents would rather not have teaching their chil- dren. They certainly will not be of much class if they come into the county just now. Stand firm, I say to the teachers. There is another point, too, about the appointments. The Local Authority has not the power to appoint in the majority of cases, if at all. The Voluntary School Managers, by law, are endowed with the power of appointing their own teachers and although the Education Authority sends teachers into the schools, the Managers need not accept them unless they wish, and very many Managers know that it would be a disastrous thing for them to lose trusted and earnest teachers, and they alone have the power of appointment, the authority only having the power of dismissal or refusal to sanction appointments on educational grounds. So the teachers have a great deal in their favour. With Managers of Council schools the position is somewhat different, but as they advertise and appoint teachers, and are a party to the agreements, so I learn, it would appear that they, too, can refuse to accept any class of teacher whom the Council wish to thrust upon them, and it seems to me the parents will have something to say if good and trusted teachers are thrust out and a poorer class substituted. The quarrel is not with the Managers, and if they refuse to accede to the wishes of the Council, and they have some power, of course, it will not be such an easy matter to carry on the schools after all. The Union is confident that the vacancies cannot be filled, and the unity of the teachers is much stronger than could have been anticipated. In fact, I hear further resignations are likely. Several rumours have been floating round, and I have discussed some of them with the teachers, who by the way are to be susten- tated at the increased rate offered by the Local Education Authority. It has been stated that if the strike occurs, which I hope will be avoided by the parties coming to terms, that teachers will be offered posts by the Union in any part of the country the Union chooses to send them, and if they refuse Ito go. pay will immediately cease. The teachers say that such a notion is entirely wrong. The Union will sustentate its members in Herefordshire for a period of 5 years at full pay, but they may choose other posts if they wish. Having asked what the teachers would be satisfied with, I was told that the teachers were out for reasonable comparative payment based upon the system of increments. They would not divulge figures, leaving that to the two parties when they come together. Al- though some member i of the Local Education Authority say there will be no conference, yet I, for one, believe that as a whole the Education Authority has not said this and that much good would come from such a proceeding, remembering that the teachers have not yet been heard officially. They inform me, however, that they would not be satisfied with any system which did not give a definite minimum and maximum, the latter to be reached by reasonable periodical in- creases. They point out that the Local Educa- tion Authority retained all its power, because if the teacher proved inefficient the increment would be witheld. They also point out that they are not out for equal payment for all schools, which would have to be graded according to numbers, and salaries fixed accordingly. This seems a reasonable demand, but I am afraid that the Local Education Authority got its back up at the start because they were threatened. It was not a wise attitude to take up, for the day baa come- when employers must meet the representatives of their employees on questions of this kind. The Committee has condemned itself. It has shown that in previous years it has not done its duty and therefore it would be wise on their part to codfer with the National Union of Teachers before the month is out, and attempt to come to an amicable settlement. J.B.S. I

HUNTING.I

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. I

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COLWALL NE WS.

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Family Notices

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