ECONOMY MEASURES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 122, 25 May 1932, Page 10

ECONOMY MEASURES.

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD. REDUCTION IN SALARIES. SICK LEAVE AMENDMENT. Salaries of certain employees of the Auckland Harbour Board are to receive a further "cut." This was decided upon yesterday afternoon, when the board 1 adopted a recommendation of the board-in-committee that suggestions made by the economy committee be given effect. The latest reductions concern only the higher-paid male employees and females receiving £100 and upwards per annum, but the smaller salaries are to receive further consideration. The recommendations of the economy committee of the board, over which the chairman, Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, presided, were set out as follow: — (1) That a letter be sent to the Auckland Fire Board informing it that, in the present state of its finances, the board could not continue the arrangement under the agreement which expired in 1931 unless the subsidy was substantially reduced, and that £100 a year was as much as the board could afford in the present circumstances. (Previously the subsidy was £300.) (2) That no action be taken in regard to the St. John Ambulance subsidy. (3) That the retaining fee paid to Mr. C. R. Butters, the board's' London agent, be reduced from £50 to £20 a year as from July 1 until the financial position improves. (4) That certain rearrangements be made in the treasurer's staff. (;>) That the board cease providing smocks for its female employees. (0) That the board's regulations be amended to provide that sick leave be limited to one month's leave on full pay. Beyond that period, where there are any special circumstances, each case is to be treated on its merits, but in no case is leave to exceed the limits already fixed by the board. "(7) Salaries: (a) That annual salaries be reduced as follows: £351 to £500, 5 per cent; £501 to £1000, 74 per cent; over £1000, 10 per cent, (b) That the salaries of female employees receiving £100 per annum and upwards be reduced by 5 per cent. (3) That all reductions take effect from June 1 next. When the report was considered by the board-in-committee it was resolved that the question of imposing a "cut" on salaries under £351 be given further consideration. Yesterday's meeting of the board formally agreed to the recommendation that the report as amended be adopted. There was no discussion. Salaries of employees of the board were reduced on June 1 last, those up to £250 being "cut" by 5 per cent and those > above £250 being decreased by 10 per cent.