Civil Service Salaries

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 13

Civil Service Salaries

Sir, —“Disgusted Parent” is not far wrong when he claims the trade union would not tolerate such salaries as are paid to the P. and T. servants. Surely the Government servant is worth the same salary as the general employer is compelled to pay? The Arbitration. Court insists that the person entering office or shop must be paid full award wages. Would the court tolerate a local body or a legai firm paying a fully qualified_ typist with seven years’ experience the miserable sum of £2' for her third year’s service with them? Yet the P. and T. can get away with it. . I can sympathise with “Disgusted 1 arent’s” son who, if privately employed, would probably be lifting £285 a year instead of £215. I feel sure if some of our members of Parliament would put their heads together they could certainly bring about a better state of affaire for the clerical workers. 1 would suggest as a guide a Bill granting the civil servant the right to transfer to another department and a uniform salary in all Government departments, the salary scales to be the same as fixed for all workers under awards.

There is mention in Mr. .Savage’s report that the higher paid civil servant will eventually draw a higher superannuation. Would it not be a more equal distribution of taxes if he left the servants who are already paid a high salary where they are and concentrate on ways and means of giving a living wage to the underpaid servant, especially the clerical workers, whose rights have been overlooked for so many years?—l am, etc., ANOTHER DISGUSTED PARENT. Te Kuiti, August 15.