FIREMEN'S PAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1053, 16 February 1911, Page 6

FIREMEN'S PAY.

DISCUSSION AT • CHEISTCHURCH.

(By TelearaDh.— SDCcial CorrceiionflenU : Christchurch, February 15. 1 Some time ago ,tho Christchurch Fire Board established a pension .fund for the members' of the brigade, the idea being that by doing 60 an. inducement would l>e offered to the men 'to remain in tho brigade. This desired end .was not obtained, and Superintendent Erck recently reported that, owing to the constant changes in his staff, he was not able to work the staff and plant to the best advantage. At a meeting of tho board tho Staff and Plant Committee recommended that the sum to the credit of tho pension fund should be devoted to the payment of a 10 per'cent.-bonus on Iho wages of tho men who, on January I , last, had been twelvo months in the brigade. The chairman (Mr. J. D. Hall), v:hilst approving Ronerally of offering somo inducement to thn men, objected to the proposal "to collar the pension fund." Mr. Horsier mentioned i that at present the members of tho Chrietchurch Brigado received lower pay than the men in tho brigades of tho other thrco conlres. The payment of a 10 per cent, bonus would rsverso that state of things. Mr. C. Taylor was of opinion that tho best method would bo to give tho men a straight-out increase in wages. Mr. Rusbridge supported this view, and advocated tho continuation of tho pension scheme. Mr. A. L. Parsons stated that tho question o f raisins the men's' Wages was suggested ( to tho superintendent, who considered that tho 10 per cent, bonus would, proro a creator inducomont than a rise in wages. Mr. Taylor snid that tho working man did not like tho bonus principle. They looked upon tho bonus.as "a bribe," and as such it was distasteful. to them. Ultimately it was decided to refer tlio matter back to tho committee for further consideration