PUBLIC SERVANTS’ DEMANDS

Evening Star, Issue 17327, 15 April 1920, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVANTS’ DEMANDS

VIEW OF THE TREASURY. [Pee United Peess Association.! Tr VTJLLIXGTON, April 14. ine Hon. W. F. Massey made a statement on the cost of the bonus to be granted to the public servants. He quoted a communication which he had received irom the Secretary of the Treasury. The loiiowing are excerpts from the secretary’s letter:—“l have examined an estimate "of the .cost of the proposed bonus to bo granted to public servants, . , . and okca °pmi°n that approximately ±/0«J,000 per annum will be required for the purpose. I am advised, however, 'by the General Manager of Railways that a considerable sum will be required in addition to meet the demands due under the regulations in the Railway Department for payment of overtime, etc., which are based upon the daily rates oT pay. The General Manager informs me that he estimates this additional charge afc £250,000 per annum Inis makes a total of £B00,(XX) for the year, but I understand it is intended to grant the additional bonus from Januayy last and not from April 1. Thp Treasury would in such a case have to provide for 15 months at £BOO,OOO per annum—say a total of roughly one million. I am unable to state what the surplus this year will amount to, but I assume surplus there may be it will be wholly absorbed in providing land, etc., for discharged soldiers. The only means which I can suggest for meeting the increased demand will be by imposing fresh taxation.”

Mr Massey made the following comment ; t—“ This, of course, refers only to the increases which'have been made during the last six weeks or two months, ana does not cover the other increases which have been _ recently asked for. I would call attention to the laat sentence—that the only means which the Treasury can suggest by which the demands may be met wm be by imposing fresh taxation. There is the position in a nutshell. 1 had hoped during the coming session that we should be able to reduce taxation, but now that seems to be out of the guestion. I shall not be in a position to give a decision for at least a week from now on the points raised.”