WAGES REDUCED.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1921, Page 5

WAGES REDUCED.

ACTION BY EGMONT COUNTY. STARTING AT THE TOP. (Reductions of wages were decided on at the meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday. Cr. J. S. Tosland moved that, in accordance with the times, the salaries of the engineer and clerk be reduced to the extent of the last increase in each case. The motion, he said, was without prejudice to the ability of either gentleman, but he had felt that it was only right that wages should be reduced in keeping with the financial stringency. At last meeting they had reduced the wages of the single men Is per day, and it was only right that they should make reductions all round, starting at the head. He considered a married man and his wife could live for £25 per year cheaper than was the ease twelve months ago. Taranaki was certainly fortunately situated; but he believed that in the King Country men couid be procured for 8/- or 9s per day. If they were to reduce their wages a little it would enable them to employ one or two more men, and so help to reduce unemployment. He thought the staff would appreciate an all round reduction, though he did not want to lower wages beyond what men could live on. They were now, however, about to fix their expenditure for the next twelve months, so it was a good time to fix the salaries for twelve months. ihere was a feeling among some ratepayers that it was asking too much inside the office to run an expenditure of £14,000 or £15.000 outside. Cr. Green considered that councillors’ expenses should also be reduced to 15s instead of £1 per day. Cr. O’Brien pointed out that they did all the committee work without receiving any expenses. The chairman said that ho was not in favor of reducing the salaries to the extent mentioned.

Members generally were agreed on the necessity for decreasing salaries and wages, and also the principle of beginning at the head.. Finally Cr. Tosland. amended his motion to provide that the clerk’s salary be reduced by £25 and the engineer’s by £35, these being pro rata reductions. This was seconded by Cr. Watson and carried. Cr. Tosland then moved that the wages of all married men be reduced Is per day. This was seconded by Cr. Green, who said that he regretted the necessity of doing it. The motion was carried. Cr. Chapman then moved that the councillors’ expenses be reduced to 17s 6d. They had cut down others and should cut down themselves. Cr. Green seconded.

Crs. Ferguson and O’Brien protested on the grounds that members of *he workfi and finance committee did not get paid for committee meetings. The resolution was carried, the chairman, Crs., Chapman, Green. Brophy and Tosland voting in its favor. Cr. Ferguson then moved that councillors be paid for meetings of the works and finance committees.

Cr. O’Brien seconded this resolution, which was carried, Crs. Ferguson, O’Brien. Watson, Trotter and the chairman voting in its favor. It was further decided that councillors should be paid 10s per day for committee meeting#. Later a petition was received from the single employees protesting against the reduction of Is per day made last meeting, but no action was taken.