THE WAGE CUT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1932, Page 6

THE WAGE CUT

CIVIL SERVANTS CONFER. COMBINED HOKITIKA. MEETING. A general meeting of members of all local Government organisations representing the New Zealand Public Service Assn., N.Z. Post and Telegraph Employees’ Assn., Amalgamated Society of Railway 'Servants, and the N.Z. Educational Institute was held in the Government Buildings on Monday. The Chairman of the West Coast Section of the New Zealand Putnrc Service Association (Mr W. E. Brown) presided over a large gathering, at which a frank discussion of the proposed: salaries and wages cut and the Economy Committee’s Report took place. It was apparent that the meeting was actuated by an honest desire to help the country in the present uni ultimate • financial position. Several speakers stressed, however, the fact that, in times of depression, the first onslaughts were invariably made on the. salaries and conditions of the public service, while 'hitter experience had shown that in times of prosperity the -service was the last section to receive any benefits. Doubt was expressed whether the salary cuts would furnish a solution of the difficulty but rather would tend to show, by a further reduction of monetary circulation, a recurring Budgetary deficit. ■lt was decided to support - the petition being presented to Parliament by the Combined Service Organisations protesting against the salary reductions and that any business men who were of the same- opinion should he invited to sign. It was felt that in the event of the reductions being brought into operation, a grave injustice would be done to tlid service unless all the recommendations of the Economy Commission were- effected in toto, and particularly that, while fixed charges of interest and rents remain unaltered, there could he no equality of sacrifice. It was resolved to recommend to the Executive Committee accordingly. As a further alternative step, it was decided to support the Executive - ommittee in - their efforts to press for an: increased wages tax . whereby all members of the wage-earning community .would bear an. -equal proportionate share of the Budgetary deficit. If necessary, a further meeting is to be called to discuss the position in the near future.