OVERTIME RATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 11

OVERTIME RATES

ADJUSTMENT NEEDED PUBLIC SERVICE STAFFS EARLY CONSIDERATION MINISTER’S ASSURANCE (Pnr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Public Service Association. the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, said that if there was one thing more titan another which he thought should be dealt with, it was the question of overtime rates and allowances. The Public Service Commissioner was not to blame; he had forwarded recommendations suggesting that the overtime rates should be adjusted, because they were unfair. The Minister said he thought there was injustice there and that something should be done early, and assured the conference that he would bring the matter before the Cabinet this week. Another matter was the question of cadets and the allowance to them when they were away from home. There was provision in the Fair Rents Act to allow of something being done in that direction, but he doubted whether anything could be done that would be very effective. Attention Being Given In regard to the question of temporary clerks and temporary men 'in the service, he thought the commissioner was giving that the necessary attention. Next there was the question of the basic rate for married men. Whether the Government could provide for that or not, he did not know. He would be glad to look into it some time before the end of the present year. He did not think that anything could be done for the moment about the right of appeal. Referring to the question of fortnightly pay, the Minister said he did not think that could be done now, but he would be glad to look into that question. He hoped the question of “depression juniors” and that of the basic rates of pay for married men would be dealt with before the end of the year. Concluding, Mr. Nash said we were going through very difficult times just now, but in the next year or two they might be more difficult than ever had been experienced. The Government would want the loyalty of all as a nation and all their help. It might be that some sacrifices would be required also, but he hoped not in the general sense of the term.