SALARY "CUTS"

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 2, 13 October 1933, Page 3

SALARY "CUTS"

PROTEST BY MAGISTRATES.

PETITIONS TO THE HOUSE, t.Bpecial to the "Guardian.") WELLINGTON, October 12. ' Fifteen stipendiary magistrates of New Zealand petitioned Parliament today, stating that they were, dissatisfied with th© remuneration now being received by them for their services, and praying that they be given relief. The petitions, which • were presented by Mv Eudean (Parnell), stated that prior to April 1, 1930, the annual salary of each of the four principal magistrates was £IOOO, and that each of the other magistrates received £9OO, but by Legislative enactments salaries had been reduced to £787 10s and £7OB 5s respectively. Their salaries had been further reduced by additional taxation and by a proportionately higher rate of deduction to provide for their retiring allowance. Their income, after taking all charges into consideration, was inadequate to allow them and their, families to live in a state of comfort commensurate with their status in the community. Such net income was in some instances but little over £4OO, and financial embarrassment had arisen. Responsible Duties. The petitions continued: "The duties performed by your petitioners are onerous and difficult and involve very grave responsibilities, and should be rewarded by payment of salaries which will permit of your petitioners living in reasonable comfort and keep; ing free from debt. ''Your petitioners dispose of by far the largest part of the judicial work of the Dominion, and exercise jurisdiction wider than that of magistrates and county court judges in England. Each year the statutory duties of your petitioners are being increased. "The nature of a magistrate's work necessitates his keeping apart from much of the commercial life of the community and precludes him from engaging in any other form of moneymaking. ' "Your petitioners consider that the constitutional principle of fixed salaries for tho judiciary should be adhered to by the Government, so that those who have to administer the laws of the Dominion, and who have often to stand between the Government and the people should be in a state of complete independence and not be liable to have their salaries reduced by the Government of tlie day.

"Your petitioners are fully conversant with tho necessity for public economy wheh has existed since April, 1930, but consider that whatever means of economy have to be restored to, no steps should be taken which may tend to affect the administration of justice."' The petitions were signed by the following:—Messrs J. R. Bartholomew and H. W. Bundle (Dunedin), H. A. Young, YJ. D. Mosley and H. P. Lawry (Christchurch), E. Page, J. S. Barton and W. F. Stillwell (Wellington), F. K. Hunt and W. 11, McKean (Auckland), S. L. Paterson (Rotoru* N ., Wyvern Wilson and F- W. Platts (Hamilton), A. M. Mowlem (Napier), and W. H. Woodward (New Plymouth). • . The petitions were referred to tne Statutes Revision Committee.