CIVIL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 13

CIVIL SERVICE

Restoration of Rights and Salary Cuts ABILITY TO FORM UNIONS \ n aiiiumitecmeni that, early action will be taken to restore civil and political rights to civil servants was made last; night by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in an interview. He said'lie had requested Hie AttorneyGeneral. Hon. 11. G. R. Mason, to prepare a Bill giving effect to that policy. “We have got to live in an atmosphere of freedom or perish as a political force,” said Mr. Savage. “All the Tights that civil servants previously enjoyed will be restored and the Bill will'be put through the House before the adjournment which we propose to take toward the end of May.”

In answer to a question as to whether civil servants would be able to form unions, Mr. Savage said the way would bo clear for them to move in that direction. “They can even become members of Hie Reform Party if they want to." lie added with a smile. The Finance Bill or some other measure containing a clause granting a full restoration of the cuts to civil servants would also appear before the recess, Mr. Savage added. Details had to be settled but definite action would certainly be taken. There would appear simultaneously a general order restoring all salaries and wages outside the, civil service lo the 1931 level, irrespetcive of whether the workers concerned were covered by awards or not. Where there were awards, there would lie no necessity for workers to wait'for a pronouncement from the Court. Their wages would be restored by order of the Government.