WAGES "CUTS"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 144, 15 December 1922, Page 7

WAGES "CUTS"

AND CORPOEATION EMPLOYEES.

Wages of Corporation employees were referred to at the Oity Council last night, when Mr. P.. Fraser, M.P., asked "whether the Mayor would request the Finance . Committee not to recommend that the second "cut" of the Arbitration Court should be enforced. Seeing that the Mayor had explained that the calculations of the Court with regard to rents were based too low, would he see that restitution was made to those employees whose wages were reduced "on this false basis?" . ■ v ■ Councillor JV M. Dale : "You are overstraining it."

The Mayor stated that in hia statement to "The Post" he had cast no reflection on the Arbitration Court. He had been very careful in what he said because he considered the Arbitration Court should be treated with the same respect as the Supreme Court. He had made it clear that the Court's figures regarding rent did not apply in Wellington. Regarding Councillor Fraser's suggestion he could offer no opinion and not commit the council to anything. . The Finance Committee would have to consider the wages question from all its aspects. Recently, Councillor C. H. Chapman moved for the production of a return showing the saving to the council due to the reduction in wages in the Tramways and Electric Lighting Departments, and the reduction in charges to the public granted as the result of such savings. This, return was presented to the council last night and was as follows :— Tramways Department : The . reduction in wages amounts to about £8000 per annum, and the reduction in fares, to about £14,000 per annum. Electric Lighting Department : The reduction' in wages amounts to about £1000 per .asaum^ ,