“CUT” IN SALARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1922, Page 7

“CUT” IN SALARIES.

AMENDMENTS PROBABLE. FURTHER DEBATE THIS WEEK. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Jan. 21. A definite day for the further consideration of the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill is not yet announced, but the Bill will certainly be dealt with next week. The Prime Minister is considering the representations that have been and are still being made to him. It is probable that he will suggest to the House certain amendments to remove anomalies that have been discovered, and will also remove the misunderstanding which the public discussion and criticism show to exist. RAILWAYMEN R'EbTIVE. Wellington. Jan. 21. The executive of the A,>S.R.S. interviewed Mr. Massey last night regarding the retrenchment proposals as affecting the railway service. Nothing definite was agreed upon, although Mr. Masse# promised to meet the executive again should they think it necessary. Branches of the A.S.R.S. are sending communications to the executive wholly hostile to the Government’s proposals, and it is stated that the executive is having a difficulty in restraining the men from taking action on their own responsibility. The indications are that the men are very restive and trouble is feared if the Bill goes through in its present form, but hopes are entertained that the measure will be amended to meet the railwaymen’s point of view.

AN EMPHATIC PROTEST.

” Taihape, Jan. 21. A meeting of civil servants was held here on Friday night, at which upwards of 150 pere present, delegates from other centres also attending. The following resolutions were passed unanimously: “(I) That this, meeting, comprised of members of all branches of the public service at Taihape. most emphatically protests against the Prime Minister’s proposed drastic cut in salaries of public servants. While honoring the agreement with higher-paid officials, the Premier is committing a serious breach of agreement with the lower paid members, inasmuch as he promised to make no reduction until the cost of living had fallen 10 per cent., and then only to that extent. (2) The reduction proposed is equivalent* to a special tax on civil servants, while relief from taxation is given other sectons of the community in the shape of rebates. (3) Stabilisation of wages by the Arbitration Court was endorsed by the Government, and that principle should apply to the Public Service remuneration, especially in view of the agreement being recently acknowledged by the Prime Minister.”