PUBLIC SERVANTS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 31 August 1928, Page 9

PUBLIC SERVANTS

SALARIES OF .1920 RESTORATION URGED LABOUE PIETY'S CLAIM When tlio Imprest Supply Bill ; w.-s introduced into the House of Representatives last night (ho Labour Party initiated a debate in which it was urged that the salaries of Civil Servants should bo restored to the- 1920 standard. An amendment moved in this direction was defeated by 43 votes to 20. Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttdlton) moved the amendment us follows:— "That in view of tho fact (1) that tho cost of living bonuses granted to Public servants in 1920 were based on an increase- in the cost of . living of 62 per cent.; (2) that tho ■ cost of living is now (32 per cent. abovo pre-war level, whereas tho average- increase in tho salarios of tho Public servants is to-day only 35 por cent.; and (3) that tho cost of living has boeomo stabilised and has ■ Jiot varied uioro than two points since 1924; it be a recommendation to the Government that the salaries of tho Public servants bo to the 1920 standard." Mr. M'Combs referred to the efforts of tho workers to meet,, tho ever-in-creasing cost of living. In 1920 tho Public servants were informed that their salaries would be adjusted in accordance with tho-vnriation in tho cost of living, but in spito of a big increase -in the cost of living in 1921 tho Government declined to make any ■ adjustment and, in fact, denied that any promise had been given. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborno): "Oh, givo us something fresh. That's too old." • Mr. M'Combs: "It's necessary to go back to 1921." Mr. Lysnar: "You'd better go back to whon you werb born." (Laughter.) Mr. M'Combs: "I'm glad I'm stirring them up." Mr. M'Combs said some Government members had been expressing concern for tho Public servants, and his amendment would give them an opportunity of showing where they stood. Mr. Lysnar: "Oh, they know where they stand all right." ♦ Mi". M'Combs said thero was liltle fliJlor'enco in the- cost of living to-day compared with that of 1921, and if a bonus was justified in 1921 it was just as much justified at tho present time. They wero not asking that the salary "cuts" should be restored, but that tho. 1920 standard of salaries and wages should be restored. Mr. M'Combs quoted figures showing the prosperity of the country, and said tho Dominion was well able to afford to restoro tho "cuts" which had been made. In 1914 the private wealth of the Dominion was £285,000,000, and in 1926.it was £767,000,000. Figures which had been prepared showed that tho restoration of the "cuts" would cost tho country something like £250,000. It had been stated by a jnembcr of the Cabinet that salaries would be increased when tho Departments affected were able to show a balance, but that promise had not been kept; Departments had shown satisfactory balances and nothing had been done. • 'COMPLETE THB JOB!" In seconding the amendment; Mr. P. N. Bertram (Grey Lynn) said it afforded1 the Government, an opportunity to perform a tardy act of justice to those to whom an inereaso would bo very welcome. Mr. M'Combs had proved that the cut was unwarranted at the time, and that it was still unwarranted. He welcomed tho increase in the pay of the police, and urged the Government to complete tho job. Why not givo all tho Government servants an increase? Tho fact that tho Government could afford to appoint a general manager to railways at £3500 a year was indication that the restitution of tho "cut" should be made. He alleged that salaries in tho Kailway Department; wero considerably below a decent standard, If it cost the Government; £108 a year to maintain prisoners, how was a man to maintain himself and his wife and two child* ion on a wago of £4 lg 8d a week? It tho prosperity existed to-day which tho Beform members spoke of, the Civil servants should bo enabled to share in the benefits of that prosperity. The Govornsient had been too ready to show the country an example in reducing wages, and tho Labour Party now afforded it an opportunity to remove that stigma, from itself. "ONLY POLITICAL AGITATION." Mr. W. D, Lysnar (Gisborne) said it was ovidojit that the Labour Party wero pretty hard up to gain the support of the CWil servants. The question had been thrashed threadbare. Ho had had no requests from Civil servants to have their salaries restored, and he was, satisfied that tho Civil servants realised- that increases could not be mado nt present, No one could say that tho l( cut" nia.de in 1921 was a reasonable one. Many of them had had the "cut" restored, but members of Parliament had not had tho "cut" imposed on their salaries restored. Labour members: "Will that remain so?" ' "• Mr, Lysnar: "That depends on tho Primb Minister and tho Minister of Kilftu.ee.'' J All would concede that tho salaries of Civil servants should be increased before those of members o£ Parliament. The -Arbitration Court had dealt with the question, Mr, P. Praser' (Wellington Central); "Does the lion, gentleman realise.that the Court had nothing to do with tho Cj.yil servants?" Mr. Lysnar replied tjiat ho took it the Court's action hacj general application. Tho Civil servants had every reason to be thankful and grateful for the position they were in, and that there was no need to go to the extreme Labour Party. The move made by the Labour Party was only a political agitation., ij tho CjviJ servants in his district; were dissatisfied they should have approached him instead of going to the extreme Labour Party, Mr. Bartrani: "They know their friends.-" PROMISE OF RESTORATION. Mr. G-. ~V. Forbes (Hurunui) said ho intondefl to support the amendment, as it liad been distinctly tiflderstpod when tho "cut" was made that it would be restored, The Civil servants had made out a very strong case, and they firmly believed that the Government had givon them a promise. He believed personally that the promiso which had been, given had been justified. Thcro was no doubt that tho position of tho country had improved, for Ministers had. been telling the pepplo that tho country was round the corner, The Minister of Lands (tho Hon. A. D. M'Leod): "Do you bolicvo that?" Mr. Forbes; "Of course, I am glad to sco tho country has turned tho corlifiY. Government members are saying that their prospects at the election have improved because tho country's position has improved. "16 wis only a fair thing that tho "cuts"- should bo

restored, and ho was sure Mr. Lysnar would do it it' he was in a position to do so. ' A Labour member: "Do you think ho would do it if he was Prime Minister?" Mr. Forbes: "I wouldn't liko to venturo an opinion as to what he ■would do if ho was Prime Minister." (Laughter.) It was far better for the country that it should have a contented Public service and that the Public servants should feel that they could trust their employers. Ho did not consider tho Labour Party was endeavouring to make political capital out of tho matter, for they had kept to tho facts and had stated their easo with modcra- i tion. WHEN THEEE IS PEEMANENT PROSPERITY. The Minister of Lands (tho lion, A. D. M'Leod) remarked that Mr. Forbes was in one of his smiling moods. Ho had gone round telling tho country that what tho Government had boeii saying about depression and' unemployment being overcome was entirely false. Mr. Forbes: "I never said anything of the kind." l^ow, said tho Minister, Mr. Forbes was singing a different tune. Tho possibility of securing political advantago by catering for tho Public servants was too valuable to bo missed by both parties on the Opposition benches. The percentage increases quoted by Mr. M'Combs could be proved to bo entirely wrong. When tho permanent prosperity of tho country was assured, tho best standard of wages, even ahead of tho 1914 ratio, should bo aimed at. The Leader of tho Opposition (Mr. H. Fj. Holland): "How would you define permanent prosperity?". . The Minister said ho meant according to tho permanent standard of, export figures—the standard reached to date. Ho referred to tho variation in exports since before tho war, and declared < that tho wages of tho Public servants had risen in greater ratio than tho valuo of exports. Mr. E. M'Keen (Wellington South) challenged the Minister of Lands to justify tho attitude of the Government in declining to restore tho "cuts." There could bo no doubt that the country had returned to a period of prosDority and there could bo no excuso for refusing to bring salaries back to the 1914 standard. Surely that could not be said to bo an extravagant demand. All the Public servants wero asking for was that tho agreement that had been entered into between tho Government and the Public Service Association should bo honoured. It was an astonishing tiling that any member could stand up in tho Houso and say that the Ciyil servants were not entitled to an increase. Public opinion in New Zealand'Mvns all in favour of the case made out by the Civil servants, who had b«en shabbily treated by the Government. It was for the Government to explain why , ; thc agreement with tho Public servants had not been Jiouourcd. A FACT IGNORED. Tho Minister of Finance (tho Hon. AY. Downio Stewart) said Mr. M'Combs had told the House that tho cash roueipts of the Post Offico exceeded the expenditure by £1,100,000 and that there was ample money to pay tho claim to. tho Civil servants. -Mr. M'Combs, however, had ignored the fact that tho cash surplus was arrived at beforo all tho charges that had to bo put on to tho Department wero arrived at and before the profit could bo ascertained. Tho fact was that after making allowance for all the charges the Department had shown a profit for tho year of about £20,000. So far from having a million to play with to restore bonuses or salaries, Mr. M'Combs, knew porfectly well that tho position in the Post Offico trading account showed that thero was only a £20,000 profit. He quoted that as showing the sort of material Mr. M'Combs put up for tho purpose of supporting tho claims of tho Public servants. Mr. M'Combs had stated that thero. was an agreement under which an adjustment in salaries would be made if the cost of living figures rose or fell 10 per cent. He had not stated, however, that when the points fell "cuts" were not made, when they could have been made. In November, 1921, the cost of living figure dropped below 52 per cent, and no "cut" was mado until tho following January, and then only an instalment of the "cut" was. made. Mr. M(Combs: "You are quoting the food group." Mr. Stewart: "116 is mi tho food group now." In March, 1922, tho fig< tiro went below 42 per cent, and that would havo justified another "cut," but none was made. Tho Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): "Is that tho all-group table?" Tho Minister said that he had no statement before Mm to show exactly what the group was, as he was quoting from some old notes ho had preserved. ' Mr. JVaser; "Tho Hon. Minister does not kngw what jio is quoting," Mr. Stewart repiled that the figures came from the Government Statistician, and he assumed that the Statistician knew his job. He would like to ask Mr, M'Combs whether it was not a fact that the secretary of the Public Service Association had stated when making representations to members of the House at a deputation that the pnly Department in his view tliat had a grievance was tho P. and '£. Department. •' Mr. M'Oombs: "Ho never statod it to us.J? Tho. Minister said he believed that what Jio was stating op. the point was correct,. Ho .would also like to ask Mr. M*Comb's whether it was not a fact thilt when representations wero made by the Public Service Association they had admitted that they should bear their fair share of the war costand tho pensions cost, and that that should be taken into consideration in any adjustment that wag made. Mr. M'Combs; "Fair share, yes." What, asked tho Minister, did Mr. M'Combs say was a fair share that should be borne by tho Public servants. Mr. Holland inquired whether i in considering that, allowance, would not have to bo made for taxation rebates. OTHER PEOPLE WORSE OFF. Tho Minister replied that he did not know that the rest of the public were any worse off tha:i the Public servants. Ho thought certain sections of the community, including the farmers, had come through a far more gruelling time than the Public servants. Mr. M( Combs must surely recognise that the bulk of the service had moved on since the "cuts" were made. No adjustment could bo made which would restore the "cut" to any man who was in a certain position at the time of t..j "cut." The position had altered. Mr, M'Combs had said that there had been an increase in salaries of only 35 por cent, and that tho cost of living had increased 75 per cent. Tho speaker's figures did not agree with those of Mr. M'Combs. Mr. M'Combs: "I am not surprised." The. Minister: "I am glad to find that tho lion, member is willing to admit that others can produce figures as well as himself." Tho average salary of 10,456 officers who wero in'tho service in 1914 was £158.073, wheroaa in 1928 it was £253.554-. The percentago increase at Ist April, 1928, as compared witli Ist April, 191-1, was 59.44 per cent. If they took tho permanent, officers under the Public Servico Act, excluding administrative officers, Native school teachers, and P. and T, officers tlio average salary in. 1914' waa £187.297 and in 1928 £200.952, an average increass of 55.34 per cent. Ho wanted to ask tho Opposition if they

wanted to reatora the salaries to the 1920 basis did they realise that many members of tho Servioo would suffer a loss instead of improving their position, and they would not by any means thank Mr,. M'Combs for tho change. Apart from regrading in 1024, practically all tho Servico had moved up, B.nd if any restoration was made a. largo body of tho men who woujd participate would be thoso who had never .suffered a "cut" at all. As ' Mr. M'Pombs had failed to j?how tliat therq waa no money in the Departments to meet the case- which ho had attempted to' sot up, but in which ho had failed, it could only bo assumed that tho Labour Party would increase taxation in order to pay tho increases claimed for tho Civil servants. Ho did not think tho public would stand that. "ANY OLD REASON-." Mr. D, Ct, Sullivan (Avon) declared that the Minister had seeme.d' dotermint'd. to find a,ny old reason at all in justification of its actions. Tho Minister had ■'bitted J? his own argument by quoting wrong figures—only certain food groups instead of all groups. Even though officers had,had promotion sineo thq ''cut,'' he submitted that their salaries, were still loss than they should be.Mr. V. I-I. Potter (Hoskill) said the action of the L.abour Party iv bringing tho question before the House was for the purpose of political propaganda. Mr. Potter pointed out that the Government was spending £000,000 on unemployment and was employing an excess of Civil servants, and asked if the Opposition thought the Government should cease doing that in order to inereaso the salaries of the Civil servants, who were bettor off to-day than they had been for a very long time, Tho amendment was defeated by 43 votes to 20. Tho division list was as follows^ For tho amendment (20): Armstrong, Atmore, Bartraro, Buddo,' 3?orbos, Praser, H. K. Holland, Howard, M'Combs, M'Keen, Martin, H. G. E. Masoji, Parry, Ransom, Savage, Seddon, Sidey, Sullivan, Veitch, and Wilforcl. Against tho amendment (43): Bell, Beljringor, Bi^chenqr, Burnatt, Campboll, Coatos, IJickio, J, MO. Biokson, ,7. S. Diekson, Eliott, Field, Foi'sytli, Girling, Glonn, A- Hamilton, <T. R. Hamilton, Harris, irawkon, Hockly, H. Holland, Hudson, Hun tor, D. Jones, W. Jones, Kyle, Link Inter, Lysuav, Jt'Lonnan, M'.Lood, Mncmtilnn, Nash, Potter, W. J. Bolloston, J. C. Hollestoii, Samuel, Stewart, Sykcs, Tapley, Uru, Walter, Williams, Wright, and Young. Pair3.^-'l |Ipr tho amenclment: J, A. Leo. Against: Sir John Luke,