MATAMATA NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 10

MATAMATA NEWS

COUNCIL AND WAGES INCREASE EMERGENCY RESERVE CORPS (Special to Times.) MATAMATA, Wednesday. | At the September meeting- of the Matamata Boroug-h Council advice was received I that in the matter of the General Order i increasing- wages by 5 per cent, the tnI crease need not be g-iven in cases where employees were already receiving- 5 per J cent or more in addition to the award i wage. i Mr A E. Wrigley considered that, in

view of ilie close budgeting for the present year, the increases should be kept down to the minimum allowed under the general order, and moved to that effect, lie understood the council employees were employed at a rate which was higher than llie award lor weekly award rate. The town clerk said a 5 per cent Increase on present rates would involve the sum of about £7O this year. Mr G. H. Hawes said most local bodies were giving the full increase. The men were worth wages they were drawing before the order was made, and would be i placed at a disadvantage il not giver, the j bonus. The Mayor (Mr W. A. Gordon) consld- J r led that onlv workers on the lowest i stale were entitled to the bonus. The t } order had been made as a relief to w ag* l ( I earners when the 5 per cent National i security Tax was imposed, to enable them to maintain a standard. Higher paid' people should not get it. because someone I had to make sacrifices while the. war was ; on. The council had budgetted to spend a certain amount of money, and tlie only i way increased wages could be given waj l.v reducing the hours worked by the j Mr c. Vincent seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr Hawes recording ! his vote against it. Fire Service Recognised ! The council decided to forward letters lOf appreciation to Mr J Coekhead, who ■ had left the district after giving 18 year*’ j service with tin* Fire Brigade, and also , to Mr H. Chilton who nad completed i’s • years’ Are brigade service. | Tin* Mayor reported that he had attended a meeting of local bodies in Hotori’ua. when the Hon. f». Wilson had outlined the Government's Home Guard scheme. Tin* scheme could not be proceeded with in Matamata until boundaries had been denned. and lie suggested the council approach the Matamata County Council with this in view. This was agreed to. the Mayor and Mr A. E. Wrigley being appointed to confer with the County Council.