RETRENCHMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1930, Page 5

RETRENCHMENT

FOR N.S.W. PUBLIC SERVANTS

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY. March 25

Among the proposals definitely agiccd on by the Cabinet are the reintroduction of the -18 hours week; a return to Saturday morning work by the public service, and a general cut in the salaries oi' all Government employees.

In addition to a ton per cent salary cut. the public, servants will probably be asked to take one week off in every eleven weeks without any [ray. in order to avoid retrenchment. PAUL I AMENTA R Y SAL AR V curs. 'SYDNEY, March 25. The Nationalist and Country I‘artv members have agreed to vote in favour of reducing the salaries of the members of the Legislative Asesniblv hv fifteen per cent. The Cabinet members intend making a cut of at least 15 per cent in their own salaries.

The Government’s economic proposes, as /placed before a joint Party meeting, show the total saving cf Ministerial and Parliamentary salaries on the basis of a 15 per cent reduction would be about eighteen thousand sterling yearly. The members would each sacrifice £l3l ss.

RETRENCHMENT

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, March ’26

A definite announcement is now possible that the State Cabinet will introduce a short measure this session, providing that all members of. the publicservice shall have their salaries reduced 10 per cent., and shall also work longer hours weekly. Judges are included in the scheme, which, it is estimated. will save £] ,070,000 per annum. It is also proposed there be no annual increases in salaries or new appointments.

A 48-HOUR WEEK

The Bill to itroduce the general 48hour week will also be brought clown, providing that employers desiring chat their employees should work longer hours, need not apply for the Court’s permission. The Government's proposals include the imposition of stamp duty and a tax on wages similar to the scheme about to be considered by the Victorian Parliament, of one penny 'per pound on -.wages, and on £l2 weekly a flat rate of 8d weekly on wages £l2 and up to £IOOO per annum, and 2s weekly on each thousand for salaries over a thousand per annum.

The Chief Railway Commissioner, Mr Cleary’s salary which was fixed at £SOOO on appointnipent, will amount to only £IOOO. He has foregone half owing to the financial depression. £2OOO of this is being devoted to distress among railwaymen’s families and £SOO returned to the Treasury. He will be assessed for income purooses on £SOOO, the tax amounting to £ISOO, leaving a net income of £IOOO.