PUBLIC SERVANTS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1940, Page 3

PUBLIC SERVANTS

RISE IN WAGES, (Per Press Asstfciutioh—CPpyright). WELLINGTON, «tei*t\ttbtf 14. The decision of the GoVerninbnt to yrailt a cost of living 1 1 iicfe to the lower paid State employees '.was announced tO-nigllt by the Minister of Finance. The allowance will be retrospefctive to Aiigust 12, the date of the operation of the General Order of'the Arbitration Court increasing the Wages of workers uhdttr awal'ds alid industrial agreements. No deduction will be made for superannuation blit the allowance will be subject to taxation in the usual way. Mr Nash said that following the recent Arbitration Court pronouncement, the Government had considered representations made by various staff I organisations representative of the I State employees for a cost of living al- • lowance, ‘The Government has reached the conclusion that., in equity, some allowance should be granted to the lowerpaid State employees,” said Mi Nash. The allowance is being given to offsei the rise in the cost of living; and these costs press most heavily upon those in receipt of the Idwest rates of salary Pi wages. It has therefore, been decided, in lieu of granting- a straight-out 5-pei cent, increase in pay, to distribute a’ l similar amount of money in the form of a.flat allowance of five shillings per' week, or of £l3 a year, , to all rhe State employees 1 18 years >of age and over ill receipt of salaries not exceeding "£335 yearly, or its equivalent in weekly wages, or hourly rates. Juniors under 18 years of age, if living away from home, will receive an 'allowance, of £6 10s yearly, and if living at home £3 5s yearly. VI, I the case of officers whose salaries or wages amount to. slightly more than £335 allowance will abate by £1 for , every £3, or part of £3 of salary in excess of £335. The cost of this allowance, in the aggregate, will be slightly in excess of the cost of granting a straight five per cent, on the salaries and wages concerned. This flecisibn will apply to all the employees of 'the' General Public Service.’’ 11 Mr Nash sAid tliai investigations were proceeding- to enable the Government to determine th'e procedure'necessary to, adjust anomalities which might arise in connection with the allowances;