THE SALARIES CUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1922, Page 4

THE SALARIES CUT.

ANOTHER PROTEST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hastings, June 13. At a meeting of all branches of pub lie servants, held on Monday evening, the f<fllowing was carried: That this meeting enters a strong and emphatic protest against the further cut in salaries provided for in the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill on the grounds (1) that the Arbitration Court, after hearing complete evidence, ruled that a reduction of 5s per week, to take effect from May 15, was all that was justified in general wages; (2) in comparison our first cut of 6s and more per week from January 1 was unduly large and further reductions are not justified; (3) the cost of living on the latest published figures is rising; (4) the proposal is therefore nothing more or less than special taxation levelled against one section of the community, a section which in aggregate is far less’ able to bear the burden than other sections; (5) it cannot be shown that the duties of public servants have been lightened either in weight or responsibility since the basis of their remuneration was last fixed; (6) that as the clause in the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill dealing with cases of undue hardship have not yet been put into operation public servants supporting large families are placed in a sen- / ous position as the result of the first cut. This meeting protests against the Government’s long delay in granting relief to applicants and calls upon members of Parliament, particularly those in our own district, to strenuously oppose the provision on principle and on I the grounds of undue hardship to an industrious section of the community, which is debarred by the regulations from supplementing its wages by other means when off duty.