THE BEST DISTRIBUTION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 8

THE BEST DISTRIBUTION

The expectation of a substantial surplus in the municipal accounts will be gratifying to citizens. The exact amount is not yet known, and it w,ould be idle to speculate at present on the details of a plan for applying the surplus. It is advisable, however, that the general principles of the application should be determined, and" this was the purpose of the Mayor's request to the council yesterday. As Mr. Hislop stated, there ■ are three ways in which the money can be applied: (1) Towards a reduction of rates; (2) towards restoration of the wages cuts; (3) in putting new men into employment. While agreeing with those who stress the desirability -of relieving ralepayers and restoring the spending power of the lower-paid employees of the council we have no hesitation in stating, that the best results and also the fairest distribution of a surplus will come from the employment' of men who have now no full-time work.

The ratepayers' claim for relief is strong, and if it were granted it would lead in many instances to the employment of more labour. "Ratepayers in the city area, especially, have had to reduce their staffs because their returns have fallen, and many of their overhead charges have remained as great as even If rating were lighter the need for staff reduction would-be less urgent. To the smaller ratepayers, however, any rate reduction that is at present feasible would be of negligible benefit, and, because the small benefit would be so widely spread, much of it would not reach those who are in greatest need of help. Therefore, while holding that the claims of the ratepayers should be kept prominently before the council, we cannot press for precedence for them at this stage. This applies also to the claims of council employees. The council has effected savings in two ways: by reducing the pay of all its staff and by dismissing some. ! Undoubtedly those who have lost their jobs are entitled to consideration before those who have lost only part of their pay. It amounts to this: some have had a 15 or 10 or 5 per cent cut; some have had 100 per cent.' Those who have had 100 per cent, cut must first be put back, as far as possible, on, to the 15, 10, or 5 per cent, basis. When this is done it will be time to consider the apportionment of anything that is over between overtaxed ratepayers and low-paid workers. Some employment for more men is more urgent and more desirable '• for the community and the individual than better pay for some."