INCREASE IN WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1940, Page 9

INCREASE IN WAGES

PRINCIPLE OPPOSED POWER BOARD DEBATE The granting of a 5 per cent. increase ( in the salaries of three executive officers of the Opunake Electric Power Board as suggested by the chairman, Mr. G. Goodwin, was opposed by the board members on the grounds of opposition to the Pr'n" ciple involved, and the matter was deferred for consideration at the end of the financial year. "I consider that there should be no discrimination and I will move that the executive officers receive an increase in salary of 5 per cent.," said Mr. Goodwm. "I do that as a gesture of apprcciation of the undoubted ability of our officers.' I know everv member of the board recognises their ability and I think it is , our bounden duty to give them the same , treatment as the other employees.' ] Referring to the work done by the , executive officers and the extra work j that would be thrust upon them as a result of men going into territorial camp, Mr. J. S. Tosland seconded the motion. "I agree with you about the discrimination. but in general there is discrimination and I cannot see how you are going to avoid it." said Mr. J. S. Hickey. "You start with trying to avoid it in our board but from then on discrimination is rampant. There is no need for me to particularise; you all know that j there is discrimination on every side. "You say that the 5 per cent. is jus- j tified on the cost, of living," he continued. | "We are endorsing the finding of the Arbitration Court under the heading of justice. We are all more or less civil servants on a salary fixed in 1937-38. I oppose the principle of the increase If the board refused to give the increase to men who had risen to the top of their enterprise and ability it would be acting in a manner that would tend to kill progress and enterprise, said Mr. Tosland. "By passing this motion we are perpetuating the evil by endorsing it," declared Mr. Hickey. "Yes, but it seems hard that our best officers should suffer and be the chopping block," said Mr. Tosland. "If I was as good a socialist as I hope I am an anti-socialist I would say those men are the ones best able to hear it. replied Mr. Hickey. It was pointed out by Mr. A. J. Brennan that the 5 per cent. increase- was restricted to men earning less than £500 a year. "Very Delicate Matter." "It is a very delicate matter and I am opposed to the principle, and if there is any other way of dealing with the matter I would support it," said Mr. R. Fleming. who added that on one hand the principle was being denounced and on the other it was being endorsed. He thought the matter should be held over till the end of the financial year. "I would like to support the increase, but not in the way it is moved," said Mr. E. A. Collins, who added that the board was in sympathy with the desire I to increase the salaries of its executive (officers, but it thought it better to wait j till the end of the financial year, when the position could be reviewed. A suggestion that the chairman should withdraw his motion and adopt the suggestion of Mr. Fleming was made by Mr. W. C. Green, but Mr. Goodwin did not favour this course, holding that the men concerned were entitled to the increase. All other boards in the province had treated the executive officers as he proposed to do. Mr. Fleming: Why was this not brought -up at a more opportune time? Mr. Goodwin: The time is more than opportune because these men are affected by double taxation. "I suggest that the mover and seconder of the amendment allow you to withdraw your motion and substitute it with the amendment," said Mr. Green after Messrs. Fleming and Hickey had moved and seconded an amendment respectively that the matter be held in abeyance until the end of the financial year. "If you do that you will get the support of the board." "I am very heartily disappointed. but common sense tells me that if I put the motion as I would like to do I would get defeated," said Mr. Goodwin. "Therefore I feel that I must withdraw the motion as suggested." The amendment was then moved as a motion by Messrs. Fleming and Hickey and adopted unanimously.