UNIVERSITY SALARIES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28758, 2 December 1958, Page 14

UNIVERSITY SALARIES

Review By Grants Committee The University Granta Cemmittee will review ■Mfrenity salaries at meetings en December 15 and IS and then make repreeeatatiene to the Government. TMe annoencenwm wee made by lie ehairman (Dr. G. A. Xtorrie). who to alee Vise. I Ctamceltor of the Unfrentty •T New Zealand, to answer to inqulrfee by "The Frees” yeetatdaj nftenaeqn. Dr Currie said it would be recalled that, at meetings to Christchurch some months ago. the committee decided to defer representations because of the uncertain economic condition of the country, described when the committee met the Prime MiniSter (Mr Nash). the Minister of Finance (Mr Nordmeyer) and the Minister of Education (Mr Skoglund). The committee was authorised to review the question when it was considered opportilne ■ “The University Grants Committee has now obtained from all four universities and the agri, cultural colleges a summary of: (1) People who have gone to other countries at the same status but on bigger pay; (2) people who have gone to ’advanced status and higher pay; (3) positions advertised for which there have been no applications; (4) positions advertised for which there have been no suitable applications,’’ Dr. Currie said. “I predict that the University Grants Committee 7 will agree that the position disclosed shows that it can not afford to wait any longer,” said Dr. Currie. "Earlier the University of New Zealand shared the general concern about the balance of payments. Now members are likely to feel that New Zealand is still a comparatively rich country and that, in any case, we just cannot afford to risk any lowering of our academic standards.”

Satisfaction Of Staff

The University Grants Committee move to review and take action on university salaries was welcomed by Professor R. T. Sussex, president of the Canterbury University branch of the Association of University Teachers. “For next year it will be shutting the stable door after the horse has gone,” Professor Sussex said, “as even immediate action would not give us time to check the drift and get more staff for the start of 1959 university session. Even now, it seems unlikely that the Cabinet will meet after the Grants Committee meetings on December 15 and 16. “At this stage we can only express satisfaction that the University Grants Committee is taking up the case. Any jubilation will have to await the decision of the Cabinet” Professor Sussex said. Transporter Breaks Axle.— A large transporter, moving the Wairarapa Catchment Board’s new 23-ton Wanganui - built dredge to Lake Wairarapa, broke an axle when it was just past the Ratana turnoff yesterday.—(P.A.)