WHARF WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 4

WHARF WORK

SOLDIERS' EARNINGS

WHAT OF THE SURPLUS?

The disposal of the earnings, oyer. Army rates of pay, of members of tht Armed Forces who have been employed on the waterfront at several ftew Zealand ports has been a sub-, ject of representations made by tne New Zealand Returned Services' Asso-, ciation to the Prime Minister. In a reply Mr. Fraser points out that War Cabinet is considering the question of how the "surplus of receipts over expenditure" should be allocated. The difference between Army and waterfront rates of pay led to inquiries being made some time ago as to whether the servicemen doing the work were entitled to the full rates earned, and if not, as to what was being done with the "surplus" earn-, ings. One recommendation was that such money should be paid to the respective Provincial Patriotic Councils, thus ensuring that those who may require assistance would have the opportunity of sharing the proceeds of the efforts of their comrades. Replying to the representations made by the N.Z.R.S.A., the Prime Minister "The gross amount of wages received by the Government for worx carried out on the waterfront by members of the Armed Forces is credited to the War Expenses Account which is debited with the amount actually paid to the soldiers and their dependants, plus social—and national—security taxes and the cost of the soldiers "The matter of the disposal of the surplus of receipts over expenditure is now receiving the consideration of the War Cabinet with a view to determining the most satisfactory method ,of allocation in the interest of serving and returned personnel." _ . The decision arrived at, the Prime Minister added, would be communicated to the N.Z.R.S.A. as soon as possible. '