Review Of Policy On Softballers’ Pay

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31211, 8 November 1966, Page 3

Review Of Policy On Softballers’ Pay

etc Zealand Press Association •

WELLINGTON, November 7. The State Services Co-ordinating Committee has decided to review its policy of not paying public servants who tour abroad with New Zealand softball teams.

The committee's decision not to pay four members of the New Zealand team, which finished third in the world championships in Mexico, caused controversy when it was announced.

The secretary of the State Services Commission (Mr D N. Ryan) said today that four members of the team were employed as public servants. They are the coach, Mr A J. N. Whelan, the captain, McKerchar, A. Leslie and C. Phillips. Mr Ryan said the success of the s’oftball team had not been responsible for the review.

He said the committee was discussing the matter with other employers. The decision not to paymembers of teams playing in a “minor” sport overseas was reached last June. Mr Ryan said the Commis sion considered Rugby, Rugbyleague, soccer, hockey, cricket and Olympic and Commonwealth Games as “major”

sports. This applied to teams touring overseas—not in New Zealand. Public servants had three weeks’ annual leave plus the usual statutory holidays each year, said Mr Ryan. “This is considered adequate for most people participating in sport or similar activities. However, we will deal with cases on their merits. The committee is always open to review any cases.”