SPECIAL SESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1931, Page 3

SPECIAL SESSION

THE At AIN OBJECT. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 4. Hon. G. W. Forbes’s attention lias, been drawn to the complaint by the Secretary of the New Zealand Wonceis’ Union that the Public w orks Lepartment had already intimated that .Union rates of pay were to be reduced as from the first of April, and that the Government bad no right to make such an announcement until the matter had been dealt with by Parliament. The position of tlie country was such, said Mr Forbes to-day, that it wa» absolutely essential that reductions should come into force at the earliest possible, moment. Either the wages must be reduced on public works, or men must be put off, and the Government had no desire to put men oil where it could be avoided. He bad called Parliament together to deal with the position on March lltli, and so far as the Government were concerned, there was absolutely no reason why the session should not conclude, within three weeks. He said: “If it goes on longer it will not be the fault ol the Government, but il it does, the Government is going to allow nothing to stand in the way of putting into effect the measures which it considers necessary in the interests ol the country. We have made up our minds as to what is necessary, and we will see it through.”

ALL ROUND CUT. All? FORBES’S PANACEA. WELLINGTON, March 4. “1 am very disappointed at the attitude which some 'Trade Union leaders have taken up over the proposals ol the Government,” said Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes to a reporter, ft does not seem to be realised that the only solution of tlie present difficulty is to reduce costs, and that the only "av this can be done equitably is to make "ii all-round reduction in money wages. I am quite convinced that the action of the Government in reducing wag's will be followed by an all-round reduction in the cost ol living, and that, in the final result, the worker will be no worse, off than at present. At the same time, the position of the country will have improved considerably owing to the reduction of costs, and tlie worker will receive the lull benefit ol that improvement.” ‘•‘The trade unions, who are complaining, do not seem to realise that tact.” BULLER PROTEST. FROM PUBLIC SERVANTS. WEST PORT, March 4. At the meeting of the Buller members of the Public Service lan evening there was a very repivsentaUve gathering. After discussion the Billowing resolution, on the motion ol Messrs Jackson and Cox, was enluusi.isiicaLy c rried :—“That this joint meeting ol Public Servants of the Buller district unreservedly condemns the Go\eminent’s wage and salary reduction proposals, which uni airly throws on the Public Servants (one-ninth of the wageearning population of the Dominion) the responsibility of providing omtliird of the total anticipated deficit of £4,500,000 and which makes no pretence whatever of providing for equality of sacrifice either as between the wealthy taxpayers and Public Servants or as between the higher-paid and lower-paid grades of the Service usd(. I Ins meCLing further declares that the principle of equality of sacrifice demands that the contributions ol individuals towards an effort to balance the Budget in a time of economic depression should be made on a steeplygraduated scale, and that the lowerpaid workers should be wholly exempt from tlie “cuts.” Finally we pledge ourselves to stand by our combined •Executives in whatever stops they may take in the direction of opposing the Government’s poljcv as declared by Mr Forbes. We further strongly advise all public servants to support the Labour Party in their honest fight against the proposed reduction in our standard of living.” TIMARU MASS MEETING. HIGHER TAXES URGED. TIMARU, March 4. The following resolution was carried unanimously at a mass meeting of workers to-night:—“This mass meeting of workers protests emphatically against the proposed flat ten per cent, reduction in the wages and salaries ot Government servants; also against tlie reduction of relief wages to 12s 6d and 9s per day; and against the suspension of current awards. We believe that such action will only aggravate the position; that it is unnecessary and unjust; and we insist that the State should exercise a large measure of control over the national finances; also that the existing exemptions of the wealthy from taxation should be removed, and a steeply-graduated income tax be imposed. Further, we pledge ourselves to support any constitutional means which may be adopted throughout New Zealand in harmony with the spirit of this resolution to impose the Government’s wage-re-ducing policy, and to effect the alternative proposals suggested.”

RET I RING A LLOWANUES. P REM iF. R ’vS ASS UR ANt' E. WELLINGTON, March 4. Some consternation lias been felt on the part of the civil servants, especially those who are due to retire in the course of a few years, on account of the possibility of their retiring allowances being reduced as tlq, result ol the ten per cent, cut in their salaries. This question was mentioned to the Piime Minister to-day. when he was asked if the Government intended to make any provision to meet the case. Mr Forbes replied that the Government had no desire to cause hardship. It was quite possible that provision would be made to permit of civil servants retiring on their normal allowance.. The matter was being investigated, and any necessary provision in respect of it would lie incl .tied in the legislation that would lie introduced.

'TEACHERS’ CUTS. FF DHR A'TIO.V ATT IT III) K. WELLINGTON. March 4. A sE foment has been issued by the New Zealand Federation of Teachers in reference to the proposed salary reductions. 'The Federation proposes to ask the Government that any reductions should be made by Mr Manvu Renner, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Federation. He says that he has no doubt that most of the teachers regard some sacrifice as inevitable, and are pr pared to shoulder a lair share of the burden, hut they would be prepared to regard the reduction in their pay with a certain amount of equanimity il they were assured that the reductions would be only temoorar.v, and that after'twelve months, if the country’s return to prosperity warranted it, the existing scale of salaries would again be brought into operation. Mr Renner states that bis Federation intends to submit the following resolution to the Minister of Education: “That the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Federation of Teachers recognises the obligation of the teachers to assist the Prime Minister and the Cabinet- in their efforts to ensure the financial stability of New Zealand; that any reduction made m the salaries of the teachers shall he regarded as a temporary measure for one year only; and that after Ist April, 1932, if the financial outlook lias improved, the teachers’ salaries shall he paid in accordance with the scale now in force.”