WAGES CUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 5

WAGES CUT.

RESTORATION ISSUE.

FIRE BOARD DISCUSSION

MINISTER'S OPINION SOUGHT.

The. question of the restoration in part of the staff wages cuts was reviewed at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board to-day, when it was decided to place the matter before the Minister of Finance and ask whether it would be permissible for the hoard to take such action. The chairman, Mr. J. J. Kingston, said that the Auckland City Council had done something, and it was suggested that the. Fire Board could also do something. Mr. J. B. Paterson suggested referring the matter to a sub-committee for a report. The chairman said that as far as he could see it was a matter of funds. To restore 5 per cent in toto would cost £950 a year. The board had authority to spend a certain sum in wages, but the authority of the Minister might be needed if the sum were exceeded. Restoration of the cut would make for a return of confidence in the city. Mr. M. J. Coyle said that the chairman was to he'congratulated on bringing the matter forward. Mr, A. G. Luiin said that the Government'had said something about considering restoration of the cut, but the board would be wise in waiting for a lead. It would be absurd to restore the cut ■when 70,000 men were unemployed, as they were deserving of the first sympathy. Mr. Coyle said that restoration of the cut would mean that a certain amount of necessary work would be done, such as painting and papering houses, and that would bring men from relief work back to old channels of employment. Mr W. C. Kemble said that the point wa's whether they could do it. It did not matter whether they exceeded the wages bill if they were below the estimates in something else. The motion was moved by Mr. Pateison and carried unanimously.