COUNCIL STAFF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 238, 26 June 1918, Page 6

COUNCIL STAFF

SALARIES OF MEN AT THE WAR

AN ADJOURNED DISCUSSION

Councillors J. Fitzgerald, W. Hildrcth, W. H. P. Barber, G. Frost, M. P. Luckie, A. Jt. Atkinson, \V. i, Thompson, A. Veitch. J. 0. Shorlaud, C. B. Norwood, and W. H. Bennett were present at a special meeting of tho City Council held yesterday afternoon for tho purpose of considering the position of the council in respect to the saluries of members of tho staff called up for military service. Under a previous resolution, passed in the first year of war, the council agreed to make up the saluries of all members of the stall who took up military duties to what they were in peace time, and have done so up to tho present, with certain changes. For instance, on March S last year the Mayor moved that tho following memorandum sent out by him to councillors, with respect to the wages of enlisted men, bo adopted, viz.: "Referring to the discussion which took place at the last council meeting, and which was subsequently held ovor, I desire to lay before you tho following statement, which in my opinion will fully meet the situation:—lt is not proposed to alter the position bo far as single men are concerned. They will, as at present, receive as follows:—Their wages, minus military pay, plus 10 per cent, as war bonus to the balance to be paid by the corporation. It 16 proposed to alter the position of married men to the following:—Thoir waged, pluß 10 per cent, thereon as war bonus, minus military pay, except wife's allowance of 7s,' This report was adopted. Since then, however, tho men of some classes of the Second Division have been called lip, including _ many members of the staff who are in responsible positions and aro consequently in receipt of good salaries, and it was to consider the position of the council regarding members of the staff (of the Second Division) that yesterday's meeting was called. In tha absence of the Mayor, Councillor W. H. P. Barber took tllo chair, and said that councillors were all pretty well aware what they were there for. Councillor Fitzgerald stated that the acting-chairman had not given them much to go upon. Most members, he said, "would remember that in August; WW, when war broke out, some of the members of the staff had volunteer*:!, and the, council, believing the Government grants to be insufficient, resolved to make their pay up to what it was before going into camp. Owing to the increases granted to men of the Secdnd Division who were going into camp, it was for them to consider whether the connr.il should curtail the payments. Was that so?" The chairman: That's the question to be decided. ■ Councillor Fitzgerald: I only wished ,to make it clear.- The troubla is that we have no data to go on. Wo den't know how many men have been called up, and what allowances they are getting. Councillor M. F. Luckie: The Government allowances are framed on the basis that no other money is being paid at all—always remember that! At this stage the chairman asked if the meeting should be a public one, or should they go into committee. The Press representatives were present—lie only wished an expression of opinion. Councillor Castle; Let's havc-tf in the open! 'Councillor Frost: I don'? care whether the Press are present or not, but 1 don't see how we aro able to get on very far y-ithout the Mayor, who has all the information, j Councillor Atkinson said it was impossible to do anything without the Mayor being present with the data, and he proposed that the meeting adjourn until 7.30 p.m. on Thursday. Councillor Hildreth opposed the proposal, on the ground that it would prob-' ably come up at 10.30 or U p.m., and then be shelved. It was proposed that the question be madeahe first i,iisinn eß 0 f i- ne meeting on Imrsday. The chairman said that he would put the sugge.-tion to the Mayor. lhe motion to adjourn was carried unanimously.