RAISING SALARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 3

RAISING SALARIES.

STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN.

CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS.

APPLICATION OF CLOSURE,

The increases of salaries granted the town clerk, assistant town clerk and chief clerk and cashier, at the last meeting of the City Council, were taken exception to by Mr. VV. 11. Murray, who moved that the resolutions granting the increases be rescinded. He contended that the time was not opportune for such expenditure.

Mr. E. J. Plielan, who seconded, said that during times of adversity, distress and unemployment, such as existed today, it was wrong to divert money that could be put to better use. The offioers concerned were being well paid, and until conditions improved considerably lie was not prepared to increase the wages_ of the higher paid men at the expense of the ordinary worker who found it so hard to exist.'

Mr. M. J. Coyle considered the time inopportune for raising the salaries of highly paid officers. He did not agree that the officials of the council were the Cabinet. It was the council that formed the policy, which the officials carried out.

Mr. A. J. Entrican: I move that the question be now put. I do so largely for the reason that I think it most unfortunate and wrong to discuss the question of officers' efficiency, etc., in public council.

This was immediately seconded, and on a show of hands only four councillors voted for Mr. Murray's motion—Messrs. E. E. Copsey, M. J. Coyle, E. J. Phelan, and VV. H. Murray.