CIVIL SERVICE CUTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40014, 24 October 1929, Page 3

CIVIL SERVICE CUTS.

P-RliVfE mlntstrr refuses RESTORATION.

■Sir Joseph Ward lias issued a lengthy , statement of the. Government’s decision regarding the salary “cuts” referred to by recent deputations, including also re-clas-sification and an increase in salary scales generally, particularly in the Post and Telegraph Department. In order fully to consider the whole matter and its financial effect, it was referred to,a committee consisting of the Public Service Commissioner, the general manager of .Railways, the secretary of the GhP.O. and the secretary of the Treasury. ‘They reported it would require at least £1,00.0,000 annually to restore all “cuts” and for reasons given at length, an attempt to do so and increase generally the salary scales, is said to be neither warranted, practicable, or capable of-equitablc adjustment. ISir {Joseph therefore says the present is not opportune for considering any claims of this nature. ~ In face of the unemployment and additional taxation already required, the only practicable and reasonable method of dealing with .sal - aries is by a general regrading ot flie Civil Servile, whidh is already partially accomplished. It might- be felt that, a distinction should be drawn iu respect to flic Post and Telegraph Department, where there are a .greater number of officers on lower scales but it is a classified service and one group cannot be raised without upsetting 'the--.'balance of the others. Rates in the lower branches compare favourably with those in outside employment. -As to those men at' a maximum of £205, an attempt would he made to promote the more deserving and this would, alleviate the position. Opportunity would also he given to transfer to other departments. With regard to the financial position of the superannuation funds, a‘special committee would go into the. matter in recess. 'Sir Joseph. Wjard considered this a more vital matter than claims for salary adjustment. * ■

IPiimlly, lie allays the fear of a third “cut” by stating that the provision has lapsed and there is nmv no power to make one.