GOVERNMENT PAY RATES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28445, 27 November 1957, Page 7

GOVERNMENT PAY RATES

Comparison With Industry (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 26. In accordance with its established policy of paying the Public Service ruling rates in relation to outside employment, the Government had decided that a survey would take place next February to ensure the balance was being maintained, the DeputyPrime Minister (Mr J. R.. Marshall) said today. Any increase found necessary Would be effective from January 1. “The Government has always felt that the wages of its servants should be at least equal to the average rates of pay received outside the State services,” he said. “The method of periodic assessments to ensure this has been a Government measure that has received firm support from the combined organisations representing most public servants.” Mr Marshall said the correct assessment of average ruling rates of pay was not an easy task. It was done by the Labour Department making a survey covering a certain percentage of selected trades in the main cities and secondary towns. From this survey, average ruling rates were ascertained. In the new survey it was proposed nine trades should be studied, instead of seven as in previous surveys. These trades would be selected according to their numerical strength in the State services.

The last survey was conducted in February, 1956. State rates of pay were increased after the survey, and increased again after the general order of the Court of Arbitration in October, 1956. Mr Marshall said arrangements for the survey had been made after consultations with the combined State employee organisations.

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