SECOND SALARY “CUT.”

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1922, Page 4

SECOND SALARY “CUT.”

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. PROMISES TO CONSIDER MATTER. MUST MAKE ENDS MEET. By Telegraph.—Preaa Assoeiattoa. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation to the Prime Minister waa the subject of a report made to the annual conference of the Public Service Association by the president (Mr. W. M. Wright). Later in the day Mr. Wright said that it was argued by the deputation that any reduction in salaries should be made uniform with the cost of living, and the recommendation by the Judge of the Arbitrationtion Court should be adhered to. The president of the A.S.R.S. explained that the deputation did not attend in a spirit of hostility, but desired a friendly discussion. That was the spirit of the deputation throughout. The Prime Minister, according to Mr. Wright, pointed out that the financial condition of the country was in a bad way, and it was essential for him to find more money or reduce the cost of government. He did not favor retrenchment, as he did not want to reduce staffs. However, revenue had fallen off, so much so that he must find some method to make ends meet. He promised to consult with the Judge of the Arbitration Court and the Government Statistician, and he did not know whether it would be necessary to make the full reduction. Mr. Wright said he did not know whether that remark _ applied merely to the second “cut.” Mr. Massey gave the deputation to understand that a large proportion of the accumulated surpluses had already been disposed of, and Mr. Wright asserted that until any surplus had disappeared altogether there should be no second “cut” in salaries.