GRANT OF HALF-PAY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15767, 7 December 1916, Page 3

GRANT OF HALF-PAY.

A HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSION

It was reported at- .yesterday's meeting of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board that Mr C. Bowman, the engino-driver at the dock, had been accepted for tho motor patrol. ' The chairman stated that the engineer and ho had gone into tho question of tho amount necessary to bring Bowman's military pay up to what he received from the Board. Hie detailed tho pay that Bowman would receive, and said that the shortage was 30s per week. Ho moved—"Thait Mr Bowman be paid 'half-pay and receive one month's pay in lieu of holiday pay." Mr A. Ivavc seconded the motion. Mr J. J. Graham, whilst expressing gratification with the terms of the motion, objected to the "haggling"' in respect of making up the man's pay. Mr J. J. Dougall resented the remarks made by Mr Graham as to "haggling," and said that the Board was dealing with the matter from a business point of view. Ho was of opinion in respect to the war, that the fault of the British people had been that they had not. looked at war matters from a business point of view. Mr H Friedlandcr said he spoke with some diffidence on the subject, but he thought tho principle' underlying the motion was absolutely wrong. * He suggested that thc matter should be referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee to ascertain what portion of his pay Mr Bowman intended allocate ing for his wife, and other details, so that the Board could make- proper . provision lor tho family. After some discussion Mr C. Allison moved as an amendment:—''That the Board guarantee that Mr Bowman will suffer no financial lossn in pay, including house rent etc bv joining the Motor-Patrol Son-ice. "that the details bo left to thc Harbour Improvement Committee and that Mr °^ reee i v ed one month's pa v." Mr Dougall seconded the amendment. After further discussion tho amendment was put, and wa s defeated on the. casting vote of the chairman, the voting beiiis:-J.-or the amendment: Messrs Fried lander. Horrell Boa" Allison, Dougall and Moore* AeaYnst: Messrs Nicoll sstorry, Graham," Scott, Kaye, and Miller. Mr Dougall moved, and Mr Graham Hnwf r7" T i' Ht ns ' a matte «- « f Principle tho Board pav every emolovec onlisting half-pay. th a maximum ot The chairman ruled that the motion must be given notice of. The chairman's inline; was upheld In replv to questions it was .stated that Mr Bowman would be 39 vears of age next March. Another amendment, proposed bv Mr Dougall, and seconded hv Mr Friedlander, to the effect that" the question ot payment to employees oT the Board who enlist should be referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee and that Mr Bowman should receive a month s pay. was defeated bv the same vote as on tho previous amendment. Lltimately the motion was agreed to, ,Mr Allison alone dissenting. He explained that he did so because the principle involved in his amendment was worth fighting for. The chairman said that he would be pleased to receive a notice of motion on tnc lines of Mr Allison's amendment.