CIVIL SERVICE 'CUTS'

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 10

CIVIL SERVICE 'CUTS'

RESTORATION URGED

REPRESENTATIVE MEETING

RESOLUTION CARRIED

The economic position of State servants resulting from the two salary "cuts" of 1931 and 1932 was considered at a special meeting of representatives from the executive bodies of nine State service associations held last evening. The opinion was expressed that the time was overdue for the Government to restore the "cute" in full. "It was emphasised," states an official report, "that many employers who followed the Government's lead to reduce wages and salaries had now taken the initiative and had recompensed their employees, and this reversed order meant that State employees were the first to suffer and would be among the last to be given relief. This unfavourable contrast was further emphasised by statement of the fact that State servants have had to perform duties which have been made heavier and more exacting by legislative measures designed to meet the conditionsarising from the financial depression, and that, as the services generally had risen loyally to every demand, it is due to them that the pre-cut salary status,- at least, should be restored, in keeping with the movement that already has gone a long way in private industries and local bodies. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. "The meeting had before it a report of a small deputation that had made representations to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Finance, just prior to his departure for England, in which it was stated that the Minister said it was impossible for him to make any definite pronouncement at all about restoring the cuts until a final analysis of the figures had been made; but he was most anxious to do the right thing by the State servants, who had exhibited, cpmrnendable patience and rendered splendid service during a most difficult period. "Although the meeting appreciated the sympathetic tenor of the Minister's reply, it was unanimously of the opinion that, in view of the more buoyant tone of the country's finances, coupled with the wide range of efficient and economical social services rendered and the fact that salaries were admittedly in need of upward adjustments when the first salary cut was imposed in 1931, public servants had an incontestable claim on grounds of equity to full restoration of salaries to the 1930 level. By resolution, the combined representatives pledged themselves to press determinedly for it."