Levin Borough Council.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 May 1915, Page 2

Levin Borough Council.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Levin Borough Council was held in the Gounoil Chambers on Monday evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr U. 11. Gardener), Councillors H. B. I'ranee, M. Fosella, J. Harvey, E. M. Herriok, T. G .Vincent, to. Jonee, J. Robertson, A. Dciupeey and C. Bleilkliorn. In pursuance of a notice of motion che Mayor mored that from May 17th the wages of the road overseer, surfacemen and gae stoker be increased by 6d per day. In speaking to the motion the Mjyoi said he was not going to Anl&rge on the need of the increase. ¥hey all knew that the cost of living had increased, and iLevin Borough Council was one of the few local bodies that :>aid the low wag* of 8m 6d. Most of the other bodies paid 9e, and Horowhenua County Counoil had granted recently a rise of 6d per day to its surfacemen. The workmen were- just as patriotic as others and paid thfeir contribution to the patriotic funds which meant a further drkin on their resources. Unfortunately local bodies lid not seem to think a* much of their employees as they should. For instance, regarding the superannuation scheme, though it had befcn discussed tor the past eight years at municipal conferences, nothing had yet been done and he for one thought they should give the men something to lire for. In the meantime they should give their men the increase of 6d per day-. Councillor Dempsey said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He did not think even 9s a day was a very big wage. It did not give a man much margin to mkfce provision l for sioknedfe, etc. Councillor France Said ne hardly liked to support the motion in it* present : form. He wag in sympathy with a [ fair wage. He moved kn amendment that the question be referred to the new streets committee. I Councillor Blenkhorn said that he was in sympathy with tne motion, but thought it should be referred to the finance committee.'lt was a matter for that oommittee. Councillor Herriok thought thfe gas stoker's wjges should* be increased more than 6d a day. iie was in favour of paying a good wage to a good man. The stoker'* work Was skilled labour and he held a responsible position. He did not think they should wait for a man to ask tor an incrfcaSe in wages . If he was a good man and worth it they should grant it without waiting to be asked. Councillor Roberteon supoprted the motion. He was not in favour of referring the'matter to the finance committee. It could be referred to the different committees ooncerned and then the finance oommittee eould consider their recommendations. The increase wa« quite justified. Even if the increase was Is he did not think it too much in the present circumstances. If he oould get a 6econ3er he would more an amendment to that effect. He thought thi council should go into the matter of superannuation, though he did not think the bill passed last ssseion was favourable entirely to the men. Councillor Francs said that if they paid high wages the positions should be thrown open and anyone allowed to apply for them. Councillor Blenkhorn mored as an amendment that the matter he referred to the finance oommittee. Councillor Vincent 6eoonded Councillor Blenkhorn's amendment. The Mayor, in reply, said that at the beginning of the year, before estimate were drawn up, it would be useless to refer the matter to finanoe committee. It would have been unwise to bring it before the old council in its last hours, therefore he waited until the new council was sleeted. He thought to call for new mfen, and re-appoint the old men would be a faros. It would make the men's position insecure and oause discontent. Private. employers paid their employees when il but local bodies did not. The gas stoker's wage had been increased previously from 8s to 9s per day. In regard to the road overseer he was a good man and worth the increase. He was not in favour of wafting for men to ask for a rise if! wages. If a man asked for a rise in wages and had no Backing it was possible that "he would be told that he was not wanted, hence many men did not care to ask for increased wag««. Bren if referred to the streets committee they would recommend it. so great were the arguments in its favour. He hoped the motion would he earned. Councillor Fosella seconded— Councillor Prance's amendment that the matter be referred to the streets committee. On being pat the amendment m Test

only the mover and the aeoonder voting for (i Councillor Blenkhora, referring to the - matter again, said that he wanted com« .consistence in pt-ocedurt. On# application for an increase already had bean referred to a committee. The Mayor aaid the caeea were entirely different. If he had thought that the councillors -were going to make auch a comparison he irould hare moved that the other oasfe be dealt with that ni^ht. Councillor Blenkhorn'e amendment, on being put, wae lost by »ix votee to four; the mover and Councillor* Vincent, France and Jones voting for it, and the Mayor and Councillors Fosella, Harvey, Herrick, Roberteon and Demp- _ gey voting against. ' r he motion teas then pnt and carried only Coouneillor France voting against it. — .1' I—i. <wt