CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 306, 28 December 1931, Page 6

CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES.

The decision of'the Government to suspend payment of annual increments on teachers' salaries is a move of great importance. It is an indication of the gravity of the financial situation, for it is impossible to think that the Government would take this step if it were not hard pressed. It is also impossible to regard this as an isolated piece of economy. There is no reason for singling out the teachers for suspension of increments. One must conclude that this economy will be applied to the Civil Service generally, and nobody who has studied the cost of the service : and knows how pressed the Government is for money should be surprised. This automatic increasing of salaries in the Civil Service adds a large sum to the annual cost, and in many cases salaries rise above value for work done. It is the man that is paid rather than the job. For some time it has been obvious that the country cannot afford 'to maintain a system which would cripple if not ruin private enterprise,, and now evidently the Government lias made up its mind to act. One feels sorry for teachers and other victims of such suspension, but the financial needs of the State are paramount. j