THE DOWN TRODDEN SALARY MAN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 200, 19 May 1920, Page 8

THE DOWN TRODDEN SALARY MAN

Sir,—l have read with interest the letter of "Bust" in your issue of May 14. He is quite right when he say 6, "that we can expect nothing'from councillors,; tlicy appear to believe, perhop's honestly, ihat their duty is to grind down their officials." Councillors appear to have the idea that in order to please the ratepayers' thoy should always cut down expenses. especially when there is nothing apparent to the eye to show for money, henco whilst they often waste money on works which show tho ratepayers that rates are being spent, they forget tho staff have still to live, that is, the officials, who are usually classed as professional men. "Dust" appears to speak for municipalities, but counties are in much the same position, only slightly worse, I know of councils where tho roadmen are paid more than the clerk of the county. From my own personal knowlcdgo as a county cleric, I know that there is a strong feeling that local body clerks should have some suc:h, organisation as "Dust" suggests, not to cause trouble, but that they may advance the work, and enjoy uniform advantages. Clerks! and engineers of local bodies aio public servants, yet every other branch of Public Service lias its organisation, and in most cases is provided with superannuation. We have nothing of this nature for our benefit, and the salaries are too often such that we cannot make provision for old age, I know" a council which has not only paid workmen more than its clerk, but has actually made a house allowance in the case of married men, whilst single men have wliares provided free, and tho clerk, ivho lias to maintain a position of respectability, has to pay his own house rent and maintain a family. "Dust" may be interested to kii'ow that the formation of some such organisation for local body officials lias been mooted before, and that it is only waiting for someono to commence the work. The fact is wo poor officials arc all, too busy grinding hard on small salaries that we 'have little or no spare time to undertake such work. . If, however, "Dust" is willing to .help in such a movement' and will communicate with me, I am also willing to help, ami wo iiiay_ commence the preliminary work of obtaining: support in our own particular districts, and of obtaining tho views of our brother officials. At the last conference of the Counties' Association a remit wns put forward by ono county council that an association of county clerks be formed. It was referred to the executive to deal with, and tlbere it ended. It is.plain, therefore,, that we must organise ourselves if the councillors will not assist' when asked. My opinion is that such' an organisation should . include 'the officials, i.e., clerks aiid engineers and their assistants of both, boroughs and counties, and may even have a wider scope than that. I enclose iuy name and address, in order that "Dust" i may obtain it from you if he is willing I to communicate with me.—l am, etc., | COUNTY CLEKIC,