HIGH SALARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 2

HIGH SALARIES

HEADS' OF DEPARTMENTS

FURTHER REDUCTION URGED

WELLINGTON, February 14

The opinion that further economies are necessary, particularly by the- reduction of salaries' of Heads of Government departments, was expressed by the Hon. C. J. Carrington (Auckland) in speaking on the Banks Indemnity Bill in the Legislative Council.

Mr Carrington said lie was amazed to note the substantial increases there had been in the salaries of departmental heads since 1915-16. Increases in some cases ranged from £100) to £4OO, while there were instances' where the remuneration for certain positions had risen from £9OO to £I2OO timing that period. In view of the very low prices, it was undeniable that those salaries were too high, compared with those received by officials in outside services'.

The! manager of one Auckland firm in receipt of £BOO yearly was told that applications for his position at £SOO would be called unless he accepted a reduction to that amount, and that via a common occurrence right through the country excepting departmental heads in the Government services. Although Civil Service salaries had been cut, Mr Carrington considered that higher salaries should again lie reviewed. Unduly high superannuation payments, 'some exceeding £IOOO a year, were also being made. Drastic legislation was required to trim those allowances to a reasonable amount when they exceeded £250.