EACH CASE ON MERIT

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 6

EACH CASE ON MERIT

SYMPATHETIC RISES HOSPITAL BOARD'S VIEW EFFECT OF WAGES ORDER I Nurses had benefited only in April by an increase in their rates of pay, , pointed out members of the Hawera Host ital Board yesterday in opposing any further Jncrease. The board reached its decision through a discussion on a letter from the Hospital Board's Association inquiring its attitude to the position of nurses and other employees not covered by the recent order of the Arbitration Court. The association was seeking the opinion of boards on a suggestion that the increase of 5 per cent. might be given, i as Irom August 12, to those not covered by the order, dissolving what might otherwise have been an unfair penalty. Charges on Ratepayers. Mr. A. L. Campbell (chairman): The idea oi; national social security was to reduce the hospital charges on ratepayers. Mr. E. A. Washer: The rates are just the same. I think the combined boards of Taranaki should meet and secure uniformity. Mr. F. Mourie: The officers are working hard, and we should pay them in proportion to their value to the board. Mr. Washer: We'd be set if we'd kept to the original awards. Mr. Mourie: I say, if they're entitled to it, give it, but if the value of their work does not require it, don't! Mr. Mourie referred to extra duties necessitated by an increase in treatment in recent years. Cost Would be £946 a Year. i "It will cost the board £946 a year, and £500 for the rest of this year, to increase the wages and salaries of all its employ-e-3 in accordance with the Arbitration Court order," stated Mr. M. C. Crighton, secretary. Mr. Campbell commented that increases in salaries so far as hospital staffs were concerned never failed to present difficulties. There was always the problem of those receiving free board and lodging and those who had to pay board and keep themselves. With different scales of wages for different workers, it was difficult to strike a basis fair to all. "I'm a great believer in paying good wages," he said, "but there are a few anomalies here. I think we're getting the best service from our staff and while times are prosperous, we , might pay them. With the present spiral of increasing costs, however, the reaction must come inevitably. On the motion of Mr. Campbell it was I decided that the individual cases of members of the staff other than nurses and I those covered by awards would be dealt with on their merits.