OVERTIME RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 246, 18 October 1939, Page 13

OVERTIME RATES.

IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

INVESTIGATION" PROMISED,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

W ELLINGTON, Tuesday

In his opening- address at the annual conference of the Public Service Association the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, sa-id that if there Avas one thing more than another which he thought should be dealt with it was the question of overtime rates and allowances. The PWblie Service Commissioner was not to be bltuned; he had forwarded recommendations suggesting that overtime rates should bo adjusted because they were unfair. The Minister sa-id he thought there was injustice there and that something- should be done early and ho assured the conference he would bring the matter before the Cabinet this week.

Another matter was the question of cadets and the allowance to them when they were away from home. There was provision in the Fair Rents Act to allow of something to be done ii: that direction, but he doubted whether anvthing could be done that would be very effective.

In regard to the question of temporary clerks and temporary men in the service, he t!i flight the commissioner was giving that the necessary attention.

Next there was the question of the basic rate for married men. Whether the Government could provide for that or not he did not know. He would be glad to look into it some time before the end of the present year. He did not think anything could 'be done for the moment about the right of appeal.

Referring to tlie question of fortnightly pay, the Minister said he did not think that could be done now, hut he would be glad to look into that question. He hoped the question of '"depression juniors'' and that of basic rates of pay for married men would be dealt with before the end of the year. Concluding, Mr. Nash said the country was going through very oiffiqilt times just now, but in the next year or two •they might be more difficult than had ever been experienced. The Government would want loyalty of all as a nation and all their help. It might be that some sacrifices would be required also, but he hoped not in the general sense of the term.