N.S.W. FINANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 209, 5 August 1931, Page 7

N.S.W. FINANCE

PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES BILL. AMENDED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. GRADUAL SCALE REDUCTIONS. (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received. August 5, 9.50 a.m. SYDNEY, Aug. 5. The Legislative Council, by 28 votes to 20, amended the Public Service Salaries Bill by removing the clause limiting salaries to a maximum of £SOO a year and substituting a gradual scale of reductions throughout the service.

Mr Boyoe, who moved the amendment, estimated the savings under the new scheme at £1,850,000. Under the amendment the salary of every officer would be reduced as follows: 15 per cent, on those between £IOO and £2OO. 171 per cent, between £2OO and £4OO. 20 per cent, between £4OO and £6OO. 22J per cent, betwen £6OO and £BOO. 25 per cent, between £BOO and £IOOO. 271 per cent, between £IOOO and £ISOO. 321 per cent, on salaries in excess of £ISOO. The Labour Daily says: “If the Government refuses to accept the drastic amendments to the Salary Bill, it is likely that the Loan Council will refuse to advance assistance to New South Wales on the plea that the economy legislation promised by Mr J. T. Lang has not become law. In this event there will bo little or no pay for the Public Service to-morrow.” An earlier message stated: Mr Lang takes so serious a view of the Public Services Salaries Reduction Bill that he has cancelled his trip to Melbourne to attend the Loan Council and has sent his Attorney-General, Mr Lamaro, as a substitute. Well-informed observers state that Mr Lang’s position is desperate. He must have £500,000 from the Loan Council this week in order to pay the Government employees on Thursday, and the Loan Council, before granting more money, intends to insist that liis economy plan must be in full working order. GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANK. LEGISLATION FOR REOPENING. SYDNEY, Aug. 4. The Premier, Mr J. T. Lang, told a deputation to-day that the Government intended to reopen the Government Savings Bank. Legislation for this purpose was being prepared and would be introduced shortly. A committee of high Government officials had reported on a plan by which the bank would be resuscitated and conducted profitably, added Mr Lang. Every effort would be made to eliminate political influence from the method of management, and for the restoration of public confidence.