REDUCTION IN WAGES?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 4

REDUCTION IN WAGES?

DISCUSSION AT WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING At yesterday’s meeting of the Waimea County Council, Councillor L. Higgins said that considering the present state of financial conditions the Council should make a reduction in wages and salaries. He thought that the end of the year would find a large number of rates outstanding and some economy should be made. He proposed a slight temporary reduction this year to see how things worked out. A reduction of 5 per cent, in all wages, salaries ancl honoraria would result in a saving of £IOOO to the County. It was pointed out that the cost of administration of the Waimea County Council (3.05) was much below the average which was 3.C5. Councillor H. Everett submitted that it was so important a subject that a notice of motion on the matter should be tabled if any action was considered necessary.

Councillor T. Hewetson favoured deferring the matter to the end of.the financial year but Councillor Higgins and Councillor W. Gibbs insisted that some immediate action should be taken. Councillor Gibbs thought many people did not realise the seriousness of the position of the farmer. He put on the table an information ho had received that five bales of his wool had brought only £l3 13s 4d at the Wellington sales. Councillor Higgins agreed to move a notice of motion for the reduction of wages at the next meeting of the Council. The Do-edale, Pokororo and Ngatitnoti Farmers’ Unions, on whose behalf a deputation waited on the Council in the morning, are to be informed that their requests for (1) economy (2) no pressure for the 10 per cent, surcharge on overdue rates and (3) a reduction m wages and salaries or staff, will be discussed at the next meeting of the Council.