CIVIL SERVICE PLEA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 210, 3 June 1935, Page 11

CIVIL SERVICE PLEA

Full Restoration of “Cuts” Overdue The opinion that the time was overdue for the Government to restore the “cuts” in full was expressed at a special meeting of representatives from the executive bodies of nine State Service associations, according to a supplied report, which stated that it was emphasised that many employers who followed the Government’s lead to reduce wages and salaries had now taken the initiative and had recompensed their employees, and this reversed order meant that State employees were the first to suffer and would be among the last to be given relief. This unfavourable contrast was further emphasised by statement of the fact that State servants had had to perform duties which had been made heavier and more exacting by legislative measures designed to meet the conditions arising frojn the financial depression, and that, as the services generally had risen loyally to every demand, it was due to them that the pre-cut salary status, at'least, should be restored, in keeping with the movement that already had gone a long way in private industries and local bodies.

' The meeting had before it a report e£ a small deputation that had made representations to the Rt. Hon. J.. G. Coates, Minister of Finance, just prior to his departure for England, in which it was stated that the Minister said it was impossible for him to make any definite pronouncement at all about restoring the cuts until a final analysis of the figures had been made; but he was most anxious to do the right thing by the State servants, who had exhibited commendable patience and rendered splendid service during a most difficult period. Although the meeting appreciated the sympathetic tenor of the Minister’s reply, it was unanimously of the opinion that iu view of the more buoyant tone of the country’s finances, coupled with the wide range of efficient and economical social services rendered and the fact that salaries were admittedly in need of upward adjustments when the first salary cut was imposed in 1931, public servants had an incontestable claim on grounds of equity to full restoration of salaries to the 1930 level. By resolution, the combined representatives pledged themselves to press determinedly for it.