SALARIES UP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 222, 18 September 1940, Page 9

SALARIES UP.

HARBOUR BOARD. HIGHER PAID OFFICERS. Salary increases ranging from £5 to £100 were granted to 24 officers of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday and the board also decided that the five per cent increase awarded by the Arbitration Court to workers under awards be extended to apply to all officers of the board not governed by awards or agreements. When the report of the board in committee embodying these proposals came up for consideration Mr. J. Sayegh said thfct some of the increases to salaried officers ranged from eight to 13 per cent, while the ordinary employees' increase was only five per cent. He could not support a proposal that gave an increase of salary to the higher paid officers and at the same time added five per cent. It had to be remembered that men were being asked to fight for 7/6 a day. He moved that the report be sent back to the committee for further consideration. Mr. E. J. Phelan said that the officers were entitled to the increases suggested, but the addition of the five per cent on top of the extra amount was not warranted. Salaries up to £500 a year, or perhaps a little lower, were entitled to the five per cent increase, but not the others. There were certain anomalies in the salary list, and he noticed that some officers were not getting an increase, although he was of the opinion that they were entitled to consideration. Mr. W. B. Darlow said he felt that the report should go back to the committee for the consideration of the salaries of some of those who had been omitted from the list. Mr. C. A. Barrell said the increases would have been made whether there was a war or not. They were automatic increases of salaries that were annually adjusted. Mr. Phelan: I have no objection to such rises. Mr. Barrell: What do you object to» Mr. Phelan: The addition of the five per cent as well. The chairman, Mr. H. Luke, said he had considered the list along with the heads of departments. The recommendations originally made had been cut down in many cases by half so that the five per cent could be added. "I am satisfied that what has been done is right, just and fair," he added. The amendment was lost and the report adopted, Messrs. Sayegh and Phelan dissenting.