WAGES REDUCED.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1922, Page 5

WAGES REDUCED.

ACTION BY EGMONT AIM TO LOWER THE RATE, A proposal aiming at the curtaHmest of expenditure with a view to reducing the rate was the subject of a discusaioa at a special meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday. In accord* ance with notice of motion Cr. Toeland moved: “That owing to the greatly reduced price of butter fat, the time has arrived when the council must curtail all expenditure with a view to reducing the rate, and as a means to this end the wages of foremen be reduced to 13s per day and surfacemen -o Us per day, the wages of all other employees (excepting the overseer and the clerk) to be reviewed, and that members* out of pocket expenses be reduced to 10s per day.” In moving the resolution Or. Toaland pointed out that this year farmers were only receiving about half the price for their butter fat compared with last year, instancing Pihama, which would only pay out Is 3d this year, whereas last year it paid out 2s 4d and placed a considerable sum to reserve. Cattle and wool were also down. WhHe the prices of produce were up farmers did not feel the high rate, but thia year they were having great difficulty in meeting their rates, and in some cases could not do so. He thought they should aim at reducing the rates about a halfpenny. He would not reduce the overseer’s salary, as he had just been appointed at a stated salary, which was less than previously* paid, nor that of the clerk, who had recently been reduced £25. He thought it would be a serious loss if they ws to lose the clerk, who was a most ■Me officer, but it would however be an act

of grace if the clerk would forgo aay £25. One of the engine-drivers should be dispensed with, and also any “spare parts.” Councillor Green, in seconding, expressed the opinion that members should give their services for nothing. Cr.. Ferguson agreed that there waM need for economy, but he considered the best economy was to see that a good day’s work was done for the money eacpended. It was not a fair thing to economise by reducing the wages of met| who already found it difficult to provide food for their families at the high eoeb of the necessaries of life, and he gave figures to show that the cost of living had not been reduced Regarding the suggestion that councillors should attend meetings for nothing, he was nog ashamed to take his 17s 6d for coming to the meetings, and did not intend tp work for nothing. The chairman (Cr. O’Brien) agreed that they should start at the top. The councillors’ expenses should be reduced by 2s 6d to 15s per meeting, and if the Rahotu members did not like to accept any expenses that would be a further saving. The clerk’s salary should be reduced by £lO, which he understood the elerk would agree to. The overseer’s salary, lie agreed, should not be reduced. The foremen should be reduced from 15s to 14s, and the surfacemen and casuals from 13s to 12s, instead of the 2s reduction proposed, which he considered, too big a drop for men with large families. The men should also work till 4 p.m. on Saturdays instead of having a halfholiday. They would also put off the lorry anver in the winter and let one of the other drivers do the work. He accordingly moved an amendment in this direction. Cr. Trotter seconded the amendment. Cr. Tosland said he had calculated that his proposals would mean a saving of about £lOOO per annum. The amendment was then put and lost, the voting being four in favour and fire against. On the motion being put it was earned by six votes to three, the chairman also voting in its favour. Cr. Ferguson immediately gavq notice of motion to roscind the resohu tion.