UNIVERSITY STAFF

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1940, Page 2

UNIVERSITY STAFF

MILITARY PAY DECISION [PER press association.] AUCKLAND, July 15. A statement that in spite of its previous decision to do so, no financial assistance could be given to staff meinbers of Auckland University College enlisting for military service was made by the president, Mr. W. H. Cocker, at a meeting of the college council. He reported that the Government had forbidden university authorities in New Zealand to make up the military pay of their staff members to salary scale.

“Three professors have enlisted, or signified their intention of enlisting, and other members of the staff are entering on military service,” said Mr. Cocker. “Several months ago the Government intimated that no university college would be allowed to make any addition to the military pay of members of its staff on active service, but that colleges would be limited to making superannuation payments.

“Representations were made that in matters of finance, university colleges should be autonomous, and therefore free to make arrangements as they think fit. The Government now intimates that it intends to stand by its original decision, so this council has no authority to give its members any assistance."