SEEKING CLERKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1947, Page 6

SEEKING CLERKS

GOVERNMENT’S OFFER TO SCHOOL PUPILS ’ SALARIES In an attempt to secure the clerical staffs required for various State departments, the Government, has again ' i taken the step of sending circulars to boys and girls who have been suc- ; cessful in the school certificate examination. „ . . 11 According 1 to the New Zealand Herald, one Auckland girl said that she was offered £l4O per annum, with a further £5O if she took a position which necessitated living away from home. The circular, she said, began by congratulating her on her examination success and also referred to the desirability of remaining at school for higher education. If, however, she had decided to leave school, she was invited to apply for employment with the clerical branch of the Public Service. Most of the vacancies were in Wellington, but if it was impossible foi? the girl to leave home a position might be found near her home. The salary offered might appear to be high for the services of a boy or girl of the age of 15 or 16, but states the New Zealand Herald, inquiries among local body officials reveal that the rates of pay for similar duties in their offices are very much the same, with the exception that an allowance for living away from home jis ; not paid. ' Before the recent war the commencing salary paid by Government departments to clerks was £95 per annum, plus an allowance of £35 tor

living away from home, and early in the war, on attaining the age of 18, clerks were paid a further £2b pel annum. The policy of the Government is to provide hostel accommodation where possible, where clerical assistants earning less than a certain salary can obtain board and lodging at fees very much less than those charged by boarding-houses.