THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 8

THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln publishing my letter to-night you ndfl a footnote to the effect that both candidates have qualified their objections to a reduction of civic salaries with certain conditions which should precede reduction. May I trespass ou your space for a feii' lines further, to admit this as literally true, but to repeat that the essential condition—the action of the Arbitration oCiirL —is a very illogical and unsatisfactory, condition. By inference, it commits the candidates to the position that if the Court does not reduce award wages, then they are not in favour of the above salaries being reduced. Of course, both gentlemen may hold a mental reservation that the Court will do so, but that does not come into the question. The City Council, acting for the ratepayers, fixes aiid increases salaries, but the ratepayers pay them —the Arbitration Court has nothing to do with it—am! they expect to fall into line with other employers in following the lead given by Government Departments. I believe. lam correct in saying that since Public servants suffered a decrease in-.salary on. Ist April Civic servants have regarded a similar treatment as inevitable. From your issue of yesterday's date I. gather that Auckland City Council has reduced all salaries above £250 by 10 per cent. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill! Again, Sir, why not Wellington? —I am, etc., . .-' ■ . OIVIS. : 2nd May.