RESTORATION?

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 241, 11 October 1929, Page 9

RESTORATION?

. P. AND T. SALARY "CUTS' "RISES" FOR 225 MEN. RECLASSIFICATION OF WORK "PRACTICALLY FINISHED." (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, this day. Some 220 P. and T. officers are t< ; receive higher salaries, according to f . statement made by the Postmaster- . General to-day. : As a recommendation that the Post ; and Telegraph Department officers 1 , salaries should be restored to the 1925! standard, the Leader of the Laboin party, Mr. H. E. Holland, moved when the House of Representatives met this morning that the Department's vote be reduced by £2. The Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said a revaluation or reclassification of jobs was overdue. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames) asked if the Government was attempting to evade its obligations. Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central) said all members agreed that the '"cuts" should be restored. Mr. J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei) urged that a living wage be given the lowerpaid officers. Mr. Coates stressed his assertion that there was great dissatisfaction in the general division and in class seven, where large numbers of men were piled up on low salaries, with little cliauce of promotion. About thirty linesmen of from three to nine years' experience had been put off; why should this be? The Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B, Donald, said the restoration of salary "cuts" was a policy matter, and as. he was not Prime Minister or Minister of Finance it would not be right for him to make a. statement on the subject. A statement would be made next week by the Prime Minister, and the House would be allowed to discuss it. Mr. Scrapie (Wellington East): Your party is pledged to it. Mr. Donald: The Prime Minister will make a statement iiext week. Mr. Coates: It is a question of reclassification rather than the restoration of "cuts." Mr.'. 'Donald: Reclassification comes into it? Mr. Coates: Is it being done? Mr. Donald: It is practically finished. He could not agree that there wa» grave dissatisfaction in the service. There might be some dissatisfaction, but it was not general. The men recognised that the "cut" could'not be restored in a straightout way. • Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central): I thought you said you could not make a statement. (Laughter.) Mr. D- G. Sullivan (Avon) said the Minister's reply caused a sense of disappointment- m the^-House,. because* although"his reply waEs s not hostile there waf an absence of sympathy towards an increase. Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) said, it made one sick to hear Reform members pleading with tearful voices for increased salaries. Their party had failed to do anything.: Mr. F. Waite (Clutha) said if the Department was really paying consideration should be given to country • settlers. The Minister should be warned against the dreadful sin of self-complacency. He should not think his Department perfect and the best in the w.orl'd." '% Mr. Donald: I never suggested it. Mr, Waite said improved rural deliveries could be given. The Hon. T. M.v Wilford said . the Government's intentions would be stated by the Finance Mi'nister almost as sbtin as he reappeared in the House. Mr. J,. A. Nash (Palmerston North): Apart from the Prime Minister, do the other members of the Cabinet; favour the restoration? Mr. Wilford: There can be no.question of how any Minister votes .in the Cabinet, because there is no voting there. Later Mr. Donald said that as the whole Public Service was involved a statement on salaries must come from the Prime Minister." ' . ■ : * ■ Mr. Donald mentioned that a number of men would be lifted in grade and some 140 men on' £295 would be promoted to £335 and 85 on £240 would be promoted to £265. • . r Just before the luncheon .adjournment Mr. Holland said that if an assurance were not given lie Ayould divide the House on the amendment. I_• - -