RATES AND SALARIES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 8, 10 July 1923, Page 6

RATES AND SALARIES

With new works in progress, financed from loans, and not yet brought to a revenue-producing stage, it was inevitable that some increase in the City rates would "be found necessary. But ratepayers are entitled to a full explanation of the reasons for the increase, and ifc would have been wise on the part of the Mayor and Council if they had given this explanation when announcing the increase. Most members of the.present Council were returned on a platform which promised : " General opposition to high rates, as such entail additional rent and prices." . It is for ■ them to prove now that they have not departed from that undertaking. While raising the rates the Council has also increased staff salaries in the aggregate by £3217 per annum. ■ Citizens do not desjre to see municipal staffs underpaid or overworked; but in this respect also the people that pay are entitled to a complete explanation. The explanation, to be convincing, should show why the increases have beeu granted,. what ' system has been followed, and why the revision has taken place at this particular time, when the appointment of a chief technical officer is pending, and may have a far-reaching effect upon the organisation of civic services. The Mayor and Councillors who accepted the support of the Civic League and the Citizens' Committee accepted also the City Management plank in. the league platform, which read in part: " Review of the management of City departments and services to ensure most direct responsibility in control, and the application of expert qualifications where of best value." In furtherance of that promise the Council has appointed a committee to review civic management, arid care should be taken to avoid hasty action, which may hinder the full application of. any scheme of reorganisation recommended by that committee.