City Council Wages.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17058, 1 February 1921, Page 6

City Council Wages.

Judging by some of the remarks madle at the meeting of tho City Council last night, when a proposal was made to increase the wages of tho Council's employees, one would imagine that the Council possesses a fountain of wealth large enough to satisfy all demands and fill all pockets. As a matter of fact, j the Council, like any other business or quasi-business concern, is restricted in its activities and payments by its in- ! come and resources, and any policy involving a continued over-stepping of the mark must in the end lead to disaster. What is happening even now, without any additional charges P O'nl last year's worldng the Council went back "to the extent of £17,000, that being the amount added to the already large overdraft. This year there is expected to beanother large deficit, and yet this .is the time chosen for a proposal backed by nothing but loose argument, to hand out an additional bonus of 9s, which will add £BOOO to the year's debit. "Too much has been made oP ' ! the cry, of poverty," said Cr. Hunter. We would reply that too little has been made of the necessity, in the interests of the workers and all concerned, of the Council living within its income. The process of enlarging the overdraft can-, not go op. indefinitely. 'Whatever the personal wishesi of the members of the Council may be, they have to remember, and a majority of them da remember, that their first duty is to the city. As for the present demand, the wages as fixed by the Arbitration Court are being paid. Such bonuses as were ordered by the Court are also being paid. The present proposal is that the Council should pay out a farther bonus. In the discussion last night the point was clearly made that, compared with other labourers working on award rates, the Council's men enjoy a considerable advantage, in that their service is absolutely continuous. They lose no time by bad weather or other circumstances. What men engaged in Work subject to all manner of risks would deplore the lot of the Cfity Council* labourers ? The argument as to the high cost of living is losing force daily, and if 'the present movement in prioes continues, not only will no further bonuses be granted by the Arbitration Court, tyit those already in operation will be reduced, and possibly abolished. After all, as tilings are now, the Wages bill of the Council eats up ft large proportion of the rates. ißy the end of the present financial I year, if the payments cdntinue as at present, the wages will total £64,000, out of a rate revenue of £82,000, thus leaving only £IB,OOO for all expenditure other than wages. The coming revaluations will certainly provide an additional income from rates, but the extent of that increase is not known yet, and, judging by the experience, of other centres, it will'possibly be much less than is confidently anticipated in some quarters. In any event, if more money becomes available its first application should be to reduce~fhe overdraft, enlarged inordinately by the last few years of leeway.