P. AND T. SALARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1922, Page 4

P. AND T. SALARIES.

CIRCULAR TO OFFICERS. REASON FOR REDUCTIONS. THE DECREASE IN REVENUE The New Plymouth branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association received a circular last week from the secretary (Mr. R. B. Morris) in reference to the much discussed question of reductions in salary, together with the departmental reasons therefor. In accordance with the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act, salaries and . wages are to be reduced, as from Jaauary 1, 1922, in the following way:— Salaries between Reduced by £lOOO and £1250 9 per cent. £9OO and £10( > ...••«.! 8 per cent. £BOO and £9OO 7 per « it, £5OO and £BOO £25 pji. £320 and £5OO £2O p.a. £l9O and £320 ‘£ls px. and £l9O £do p.a. Casuals and those on day and weekly wages are to lose la 4d per day if their wages are the equivalent of £320 or more per year; Is a day if exceeding £l9O, and eightpence a day if leas. These figures have caused a great deal of concern, especially among the rank and file. Telegraph messengers, for instance, will lose £lO off their present salary of £72, an amount which is considered none too high. Thus, the younger members of the staff will lose the equivalent of 16s 8d monthly. “A REDUCTION IMPERATIVE.* The circular commences by saying that a reduction “has now been found to be imperative” from the beginning of the year. Then follows the statement that “it is essential in the public intereat. having regard to the decreasing amount of revenue derivable from the usual and ordinary sources, that such increases as were made in the permanent charges on the public revenues by reason of increased rates of remuneration, should be diminished.”

The secretary is confident that offi* cera from their knowledge of the pre-* sent financial position appreciate thia. He believes that many of the department’s officers have been under the mistaken impression that the reduction of salaries has been effected solely or mainly . because of the reduction in the cost of living. While that was a reason, the particular one was that quoted. He was able to say that while details of the bill were under discussion, most careful consideration was given by the Government to the interests of all the officers, and it was absolutely necessary to make the ratable reductions finally provided for, in order to secure the required saving in expenditure. The Act also provides for regulations to be made to assist those officers upon whom family hardships are brought by the ductions.

The circular concludes with an appeal to officers to take the reduction in a calm spirit. “Now’ that the position has been stated, I hope that I will be able to report to the Postmaster-Gen-eral that officers of the department, recognising that essential reduction of expenditure in the public interest could be effected only by reduction of salaries, have waived objections that in normal times they would be expected to raise to any lowering of their remuneration, and that they continue to render to the State loyal and efficient service.”

AN OFFICIAL’S COMMENT. Various statements contained in 1 the above circular were commented on by the acting-secretary of the New Plymouth branch in conversation with a New’s reporter yesterday. The surprising part of the statement is considered to be the reason assigned for the reduction in salaries, viz., the decreasing revenue. It was generally understood that the reduction in salaries was in sympathy with the reduction in the cost of living, and this was the'only aspect of the question that was raised when the deputation from the Association waited upon the Prime Minister on January 20. The officers of the Post and Telegraph Department feel that they should not be asked to make good, the decrease in revenue, for they are getting less money, a sacrifice which will not affect the cost of living,)as postal charges are not being lowered, but, on the other hand, there is a rumor of increasing the charges in some directions. Then, the fact that the reduction in salaries is to take place as from January 1, 1922, is a sore point, as the officers of the Department claim that their present rate of pay was mutually agreed upon to have effect till April 1 next, the same as in the case of other aw’ards. Thus they have to stand a reduction for three months before it affects other classes of workers. The district branches have been circularised to acquaint them with the secretary’s memorandum. It is derstood that the New Plymouth branch of the association does not intend to take, any action at present, but. as requested in the concluding paragraph of the circular, will agree to the arrangement under protest.