PUBLIC SERVANTS' AVAR BONUS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3108, 12 June 1917, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVANTS' AVAR BONUS

DECLARED TO BE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

By Telegraph—Frees Association,

Wanganul, Juno 11. Speaking at a local function on Saturday Jlr Combs, permanent secretary of the Post and Telegraph Association, reforred to a resolution passed by the Canterbury Education Board opposing a war bonus to Public Servants. The speaker characterised tho resolution as one built on ignorance of the service conditions. With all tho published evidence availablo, he considered a responsible body like'an education board should examine the facts before passing a sweeping condemnation of a p.'iyment which was absolutely essential to keep a large number of public servants out of the Bankruptcy Court. A postal or telegraph man with ten years' service averaged 345. per week, while a carpenter's tradesman, averaged 40s. There wore nearly 6000 in the service drawing less than £i weekly. Tho majority would never touch that salary if present conditions were maintained. Any man with domestic responsibilities 60 sitnaM was liaving a bad time under current price*. A 10 per cent, increase in salaries, as maintained by the Arbitration Court, would suit Public Servants touch better than * war bonus, railing such increase, they properly looked for relief in the direction that lms upset the Canterbury Education Board.