LOCAL BODIES'OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 289, 31 August 1920, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES'OFFICERS

Sir,—l have read'with interest'the letters of "Dust" and Sir. OK W. Cobbe in your issues of 14th and 19th instant. I replied to "Dust's" previous letter, and invited him to obtain my address through you and communicate with me, but I did not hear from him. I would like him to know, however, that the movement for organising wunty and borough offi--cials is going ahead, quite apart from the Counties' Association movement. They have . been considering Featherston County's remit for nen "y twplve months before deciding on action, and then only under strong' pressure. As the Counties' Associatfot is an organisation of the councils who have failed •to see that their salaried staffs are adequately paid, is it likely they will do much to assist, even after 6uch long delay. •Now the Government havi increased the Public Service officials' salaries. Those inoreases are spread over the whole community so that wo clerks have to help pay them, but are not provided with the wherewithal to do so.

As local servants we are essentially public sorvants in our own, borough or county, yet no extra provision has been made. «nd we do not pet superannuation. True, some councils are more humane than others and have, granted increases or bonuses, but, as Mr. Cobbe says, it is only when we go cap.in hand he'eging. Imagine a county clerk getting ,£2OO or £250 per annum/ paying £1 per week rent, and having to provide for a family on the remainder. How much chance has he of providing for the future,and with no superannuation to look forward to? However, in my district n conference is being arranged for all local bodies' salaried officials, and, I sincerely hope Mint it will be the beginning of a successful organisation. . Mr. Cobbe will earn the gratitude of nil county clerks for his efforts, and I trust that his suggestion thOt town clerks should follow suit may bo carried out, and that the two combine. In my district the comerence is extended to both town and county clerks, an'd so far not one dissentient reply has been received, on the contrary, alt are agreed that wo must set a move

°"l hope we shall be able to avail ouroelves of Mr. Mou rant's offer of advice and assistance, and organise the whole of the local bodies' officers throughout thft Dominion. I see that hospital beards officers have commenced, but I do not think they go miite far enough. Local bodies should include not only counties and boroughs but town and road boards, and hospital and harbour boards, that is what wo are hoping tor in this district. Whatever movement is jw.de- should he got under way qmcMy at the present time, so that we may bring the matter-before J™ . H sittin?. I am quite confident that it the position of many officials were placed before memb?rs of the House, who have ,'ranted public servants increases, they till realise that local bodies officers jt« ii class that need urgent help, and that they need not only a revision of salaries but that tbev should bo provided with superannuation. Of course such aiii oieanisaticn will be most helpful n many other ways, and should materially assist in promotinir efficiene.y in our work. If our district conference results in the formation of an association or guild, then 1 hop? that we shall to able to enrol "Dust" and lift him wit of the mire. In the meantime my advice to mm is^ildesperandum^am,^,^