PROPOSED SALARIES FOR ENGINEERS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 2

PROPOSED SALARIES FOR ENGINEERS

SCALES APPROVED BY POWER AUTHORITIES’ CONFERENCE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 26. Approval of the-pi oposed new scales of salaries for engineers to electric power boards and supply authorities, and for secretaries of power boards only, was given by the annual conference of the Electrical Power Boards’ and Supply Authorities’ Association. It was decided to ask the executive tn refer the subject to the Stabilisation Commission, and to advise, all members of the result. The new scales are based on the number of -units and the maximum demand handled by boards, but it was said that acceptance by the commission did not bind individual authorities to award the new rates.

A wide variety of remits was discussed by the conference, which will conclude with a visit by delegates to the Arapuni and Karapiro hydro-elec-tric stations.

“We have no chance of getting the commission to control generation and bulk distribution in this country," said Mr M. E. Lyons (Christchurch), during discussion of a remit from Tauranga asking that the committee set up at the last conference should hasten its report on this subject. “It is entirely contrary to the Government’s policy. As long as these conditions exist, we will just be kicking for no purpose. It may be that in days to come, the atmosphere may be more likely to favour the growth of com-' mission control,” Mr Lyons said. When members asked if no report had been made because the formation of the commission might mean the abolition of power boards, the chairman. Mr J. A. Nash, said the Government had advised that the commission was not part of its policy. It would have been a waste of time to prepare a report. The conference asked the executive to appoint a convener and submit a report. The election of officers resulted: — president. Mr J. A. Nash (ManawatuOroua); Auckland representative, Mr S. Irwin Crookes; Christchurch. Mr M. E. Lyons; Wellington. Mr F. W. Furkert; Dunedin. Mr L. M. Wright; Engineers’ Association representative, Mr L. B. Hutton (Wellington); Secretaries’ Association representative, Mr H. H. Wylie (Hawke’s Bay); South Island municipalities. Mr C. S. Ayers (Rangiora Borough Council); North Island municipalities, Mr G’. Tremain (Palmerston North City Council): South Island Boards. Mr W. G. Rudd (Marlborough), and Mr R. T. McMillan (Springs-Ellesmere); North Is land boards. Messrs R, Masters (Taranaki). F. H. Ball (Poverty Bay), and C. Blackley (Hutt Valley); secretary. Mr N. G. Dunning (Wellington).