LOWER SALARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1922, Page 5

LOWER SALARIES.

PROTEST BY SERVICE. ' “A BREACH OF FAITH.” SMALLER "CUT” SUGGESTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The local branch of the Public Service Association, with the approval of the executive of the association, has sent the following telegram to district M.P.’s: “The association opposes any reduction in salaries until April, on the ground that the Arbitration Court has stabilised the wages of practically all workers until that date. Then the association is prepared, without protest, to accept, in accordance with agreement with the Government’s agents, the uniformity committee, £6 reduction for officers receiving £165 per annum or under, as these only received £2O for the cost of living increase in April, 1920, and £l5 deductions for all others, irrespective of salary. “Any larger deduction is in direct contravention to the undertaking given by the Government’s representatives that a proportionate decrease only should be made in the salary bonus as the cost of living fell. The undertaking was also that no salary or bonus alteration was to be made except when there was a ten point rise or fall. Therefore the association opposes the two proposed additional deductions in April and July as a breach of faith unless the cost of living falls to 42 per cent, and 32 per cent, respectively above the pre-war level. We ask that you press for the full honoring of the association’s agreement.”

THE LOWER PAID MEN. WHAT THE “CUTS” ENTAIL. REDUCTIONS MADE PLAIN. Wellington, Last Night. One point which appears to be causing somb doubt in regard to public expenditure,. adjustment is the provision made for safeguarding the lower paid men who did pot receive the full £5O 4>dnus. For example, some cadets received smaller amounts. It can be stated definitely that the decision not to interfere with the basic wage will protect them sufficiently so that if they did not receive the full bonus they will have CD submit to a reduction only proportionately to the amount which they did not receive.

Another point which seems to require emphasis is that the “cuts” are at the rate of £2O, £l5 or £lO per annum. Thus the man whose salary is £3OO per annum, and who received the full £5O will, in January, February and March, be paid at the rate of £285, or £23 15s per month. If a further “cut” is decided on in April, he w’ill be paid at the rate of £270, and so on.

THE P. AND T. SERVICE. STRONG PROTESTS MADE. Timaru, Last Night. At a largely attended meeting of the Timaru branch of the P. and T. Association the following motion was carried unanimously: *T!his section emphatically protests against the Reform method proposed for reducing salaries of P. and T. officers and denies that it is in accordance with an agreement made with the P. and T. Association. Apart from being inequitable, due to lower paid officers being forced to sacrifice proportionally more than the higher salaried officers, the percentage in some cases being as much as ten per cent. mf/e, the wholesale reduction is unjustified in view of the present high cost of living; further, the reduction represents a special class taxation, the direct outcome of agitation by the wealthier classes. We further pledge ourselves to support the executive in any action deemed necessary to safeguard the interests of officers.” Oamaru, Last Night.

At a largely attended meeting of the Oamaru branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers* Association to-night the following resolution was carried: “That this meeting strongly opposes the drastic cut in salaries proposed, it being taken into account that overtime and certain allowances have ( lfeen. discontinued, and annual leave reduced; we consider that neither the cost of living nor the present circumstances demand that the civil service should be specially taxed to allow of large rebates being granted to large land and income taxpayers.”