ENGINEER'S SALARY REDUCED

Chronicle (Levin), 13 March 1946, Page 7

ENGINEER'S SALARY REDUCED

» JOLT FOR CATCHMENT BOARD WAGE COMMISSIQNER'S ACTION The Manawatu Catchnient Board wlucu has spent a considerable amount oi time and efi'Srt recently in arra,ngmg a salary scale for its chief executive utiicers and niembers of tlie engineoring statf, received somethiiig- of a jolt when application was made to the vvages C'ommissioner (Mr. fS. Ritchie) for approval. A special nieeting of the board in Palmerston North yesterday had before it a letter from Mr. Ritchie in which lie fixed the basic rate for the several positions. Tlie cnairman (Mr. J. T. J. Heatley) presided over Messrs. W. McKay, T. A. .johnston, fS. -W. JBarber, C. Forbes, J. I). Aitcliison, M. O. Gralnger, M. W. Voss, 11: R. Jensen, G. L. Ewen and J. 13. Carruthcrs. ifefore calling for applications for the newly-instituted position of chief engineer, tlie board fixed the salary f'Or ihe post at £SUO, rising- in four equal annual inci einents of £50 to £1000 ptr aiiiium. The salary for the clerlctreasurer was set at £750 rising in two annual increnients of £50 to £850. -Salaries for other appointments were assistant engineer, £050 rising in two annual increnients to £750; engineer 's assistant £-100, rising in two annual in crenients of £25 to £-150; rehabilitatioL ongineering trainoe £500 and a ilrauglitsnian £-125 pcr year. The Wages Comniissioner set tlit hasic rates at £S50 for tlie clerkI reasurer, £800 for tlie chief engineer. £050 for the assistant engineer, and £150 for tlie engineer 's assistant, leaviug tlie other two categories as fixed by Ihe board. The Comniissioner 's letfer stated that the basic rate was the higliest amount that could be paid for ihe position without further approval, and the board niight pav such amount as it desireil not being more than tlie basic rate. "It is my opinion that we should cnter a very strong protest? against this decision, ' ' declared the chairman, who 'said that when he intervievved Mr. Ritchie, tlie Wages Comniissioner liad takeu him to tusk for making any appointments without first consiuting him.

"In tlie case oi tlie cierk and the engineer 's assistant, Mr. Ritchie has allowod tlie increnients by ineluding them in the basic rate, but he has not done so in tlie case of the chief engineer, " said M r. Heatley. "An ineflicicient chief engineer could cost this board between £2(K)(1 and £3000 in one Iiit, and the salary saving would be gone by the board overnight. " The chairinau said that tlie board had received a solicitor's opinion on tlie matter, and this lndicated that uuder tSoclion 82 of the Economic Stabilisaton Eniergency Regulations, tlie Conimissioner was empowered to lix salaries for new positions created after 1942. If the decision was thought unjust the aggrieved parlv must make an appeal within 21 days for the case to be heard by the Arbitration ('ourt. " We have two eourses opou to us, nainely eil her to appeal or to start off ou (he salary scale as lftid down, and llien apply later for increases," said Mr. Aitcliison. Mr. McKay thought tlie board should aece.pt itheuuling; because the door had not been closed in obtaiuing further increases later. Mr. Aitcliison moved that the ehairmau and clerk should again jnlerview Ihe Conunissioner and put the board 's '*ase more fuJly, Mr. Barber seconding Ihe motion. Mr. McKay moved as an anuMuIment tliat the board should ac--ept the ruling, Mr. Ewen seconding. A further aniendnicnt was moved by Mr. Johnston that tlie board should exercise its right of iippeal to tlie Arbitrulion Court. "It is of vital importance not only to us but also to all other eatchinent boards," declared Mr Johnston. "Manu wai u is one of the most irnportant catchnient boards in the countrv and* .tlie scale of our projiosed activities could not but impress anyone. We vvaut to attiact candidates for the position of chief engineer who are fullv qualihe.d and cajiable of performing dulies to the satisfaction of this board. These lower salaries will not attract these men. A goocl engineer can savo his salary many times over by judicious [ilanning, careful organisation and skilt'ul execution of tltc work. We should ask the Rivers Control and >Soil Conservation Council to give supporting e.vidence. " This aniendnient was seconded by Mr. Jensen. A niajor poiut of coniplaint voiced iu the lengthv discussion which took place on the subjeet was the faet that Ihe Wages Comniissioner had given no reasons for reducing the salary scale, or shown on what basis lie had fixed the basic rates. Tlie engineer -(Mr. D. J. B. Halley) stated that the >South Canterburv board .started its engineer on £800 and had •given him subsequent increments in pay; Ihe engineer to the Hawke's Bay board had started at £850; tlie engineer to tlie Nelson board, whicli was a comparativel.v small one, had started on £750; South Ciinterbury had called for •in assistant gngineer start ing at £700 rising to £800; Routhland paid £80Q and Wairarapa was calling applications at £750. Wlicn put to tlie vore tlie two amendncnts were lost and Ihe original motion 'o apprnaeh the Comniissioner again, was carried.