N.Z. WAGE CUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1931, Page 3

N.Z. WAGE CUTS

TO CONTEST THE “CUTS.” (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WESTPORT, Mardi 3. A meeting of the Public Servants was held at the Town Hall this evening. Jt was resolved: “That tin’s joint meeting of the Public Servants of the Boiler .District unreservedly condemns the Government’s wage and salary reduction proposal, which unfairly throws on public servants (one-ninth of the wage-earning population of the Dominion) Lhe responsibility of providing one-third of the total anticipated deficit of £4.500,000, and winch makes no pretence whatever of providing equality of sacrifice, either as between wealty taxpayers and the public- servants, or as between the higher-paid and lower-paid grades of the service itself.

“This meeting further declares the principle of equality of sacrifice; and demands that the contributions of individuals towards an effort to balance the budget in time of economic depression should be made on a steeplygraduated scale, and that the lowerpaid workers should be wholly exempt from “cuts.”

Finally, we pledge ourselves to stand by our combined Executive in whatever steps they may take in the direction of opposing the Government’s policy, as declared by Mr Forbes. Wo further strongly advise all Public Servants to support (Tie Labour Party in their honest fight against the proposed reduction in our standard of living.” Mr H. E. Holland was present at the meeting, by invitation of the public servants, and lie addicssed the meeting.

HAWERA P. AND T. PROTEST. HAWERA, March 3. At a meeting of the Ha worn members of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, a resolution was carried protesting 'emphatically against the ten per cent, reduction in salaries, and assuring the Dominion Executive of tlieifi support in any action taken to combat it.

The meeting also opined: “That if a reduction is unavoidable it should be in the form of a tax on a graduated scale.”

PLAN TO RESIST. WELLINGTON, March 3. The Seamen’s Union lias passed a resolution objecting to the proposal of the Forbes Government to reduce the wages of the civil servants, the railway men and the- Public Works workers, and further, against any power being given to the Arbitration Court to revise wages other than by the present method. In order to resist the threatened reduction, the meeting called upon the Unions to attend the open conference called by the New Zealand Alilance or Labour, and to agree to a joint plan of campaign to fight the proposed reduction. RETIREMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS. WELLINGTON, March 3. Questioned to-day, Mr Forbes said that it was quite possible that provision would be made to permit the civil servants retiring on their normal allowances. The matter was being investigated, and any necessary provision would be included in the legislation to be introduced.