PUBLIC SERVICE AND RETRENCHMENT.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 14, 18 January 1922, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE AND RETRENCHMENT.

Mr. F. W. Millu.r, 'general secretary of the Now Zealand Public Service Association, ■ contradicts the statement appearing that his association has conveyed to the Government that it is not in opposition to the .Gpy«rnm«nt'B proposali! relating to reductions in eakrios other than tho date I'rom which the reduction is to eomnU'iioe. ' . , The attitude of the Public Service As-1 Bocmtian. is tewely expressed in the following telogTiim which, with the approval of tho executive of the association, has been «ent by tho Wellington branch to M.P.V.in it* district:— :■ • "itaiioci»tion opposes any reduction in salarioif until April, on the ground that, the Arbitration Court has stabilised the wages, of practically all workers until that date ' .Then Association prepared without protest to accept,' in accordance with agreement, with Government's agents, I the Uniformity Committee, £6 reduction for office™ receiving £165 por annum or under as theee only received £20, cost-of-Jivfng increase,in April, 1920, and £15 (J«(Juctions for all other's, irrespective of (Wilury. Any larger deduction is in direct contraventioh ,to undertaking given by Government's representatives .that proportionate decrease only should be made in salary .bonus .as cost of living fell. Understanding also' that no salary or boniiß alteration to be made except when there was a ten-point rise or fall,': therefore Association opposes the two proposed additional deductions in April and July as breach of< faith unless cost of living falht to 42 per cent, and 32 per cent respectively above , pre-war level. Ask that you press for' full honouring! Association's agreement."

A correspondent writes:—"A curious anomaly in the proposals of the Government in regard ■to reductions of Public Service salaries is that a Legislative Councillor who receives £350 per annum (an increase of £150 was granted in April, 1920) has his salary reduced by: £35 pur annum (10 per cent, decrease), but a public 'servant receiviric; the same salary loses £20 now, and £15 and £10^ respectively in April and July next—a total of £45 reduction." > •!