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Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 11

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CHAIRMAN'S STIPEND

SHOULD THERE BE A GUT ?

By a unanimous vote, Mr. A. .Walker, Eastbourne representative oil the'Hutt Valley Electric Power Board, was elected chairman of the.board for., rhe coming .year, at .its'- annual : meeting yestoi'day. -' ■ . .-■•;■ Prior to the election of the chairman, ah' animated discussion' took place en the subject _of whether the board should make, a cut in wages, and although no .finality was reached, it.was decided not. to reduce the chairman's remuneration from £200 per annum. The retiring chairman (Mr: E. Windley) paid a tribute to the efficient work done by the board's staff during his term of 'office, and spoke of the possibility of still further concessions being made to consumers as the. result of good management; Regarding the possibility of having to make a wages cut, Mr. Wiudlcy said that in his opinion each local body, should deal withits own business on its merits. Ho could not see any analogy between the. position of the Government and the. position of local bodies, generally speaking. It was true that some local bodies were 'iii the position of the Government on a small scale. They had not had economy in view at the proper time, and because their position becamo so serious, that they had to.make drastic cuts, that was no argu-. ment why every local; body should reduce wages. He could not see any reason for the board having to make a 10. per cent. cut. The board was giving an increased ■service, together- with cheaper current, and . there/.was.a. possibility of\a further reduction In the charges. These facts' we're ample ;evidence that the proposal ..to -reduce wages .should not be entertained-by the board if it was to reward its employees for the excellent service rendered and continue to have efficiency. (Applause.) Mr. A; J. Hobbs. moved;that the remuneration of-.the chairman should be' the same: as that, of last year—£2oo'. The: position was well -worthy of that amount.-- ■'.-■ '■-. . " ■■.-'. ' '-.■;■ ... -.- * "START AT THlf TOP." "If there is going to be a dut,let us start, right at the top," said Mr. A. Anderson. "I move that the remuneration be reduced by.35 per.cent, to £150, and that the-cut extend .likewise, to fees of members." He with,; Mr. Hobbs that the position^ of chairman was a responsible one,; but"; thought that it was the honour of the office arid not the remuneration. ' that , at-; traeted- men to it. -He hoped that, whoever was elected tshairman would not take his motion personally." ;. It was pointed'out by Mr. Windley. that in the event of the Tjoatfl making a 10 per cent, out' the remunera; tion, of the chairman.'.and .'•'. meriibers wouid'be affpetedbyit, ~,./'; -;. "Is it possible, after fixing 'the remuneration of the chairman,'to apply a cut?" asked, Mr. W."H. P. Barber. • »At the^sviggVstion/of Mi/.S; Blackr ley, Mr. -Anderson altered his,amendment -to,, make-the ..reduction., of . the chairman's remuneration' to.ionly. £180, that is, alO per cent. cut.■;..i - ..'■".■"." ;. Mr. Blackloy seconded' the amend? ment. -. . ■. .- .■■ ■ ■ ;i ■ ■•'..'■: ■. , „ "I cannot, support the amendment,' said. Mr. A..W. Press.... "If the .board ultimately decides to make a. reduetipn in wages, that is the "time [ when the remuneration of the.chairman arid iheni; bers should be affected." r^ v . ;! Mr. ,T. W. M'Ewan pointed out. that, according to law, the remuneration: had to be fixed before the board:appointed a chairman. • . ~ . . \ .. ?■■[■ :■ " ';■.APP)ROyAL;^ECiBdSARY; s Mi\ Brirber said that the fiiture madfe" by the board had to be approved.by, the Government. If the board made, it £200 they might have it sent back to them with the request to" lower ' it. They sliould,reauco it.before they sent it. ~ . .' ... . '- ;■;' ''; .." • ':-' The .enginejpr-geueral -manager (Mr. E. P. ■Hollands) said "that the -boarafhad power to fix the remuneration of the chairman up to £300.•• ; ■■: The •amendment that -the remuneration shoiiia be ;£ 180- was put; to the meeting, an^ lost by five votes to six.. The mdtipn/'that.the 'amount -should be £200,' was; carried, Messrs. Barber. Walker, Blaekiey, and Anderson1- Us-' senting. . ."":■"; ' ■'-''. .- :' ■i. " For the -of chairman, Mr. Walker was nominated 'by.- Mr. Windley, seconded by Mr. Blackley. Mr. Walker was elected unopposed. Mr. Walkci- thanked the; members for his election to that 'position cm what was almost, the ,in6st important' Power Board in. Nejv Zealand. It was one of the greatest honours that he had attained to in his public career. He was sure he would be able to reiy for assistance upon the: chairmen who had held office before him and "were; still members of the board. ' . . ~ '.