SALARY INCREASES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 117, 17 April 1934, Page 5

SALARY INCREASES

HOSPITAL BOARD STAFF. GENERAL SCHEME REJECTED. “That each and every member who is i.n receipt of wages or salary of £2OO or less per annum shall be paid an additional 10 per cent, per annum partly to assist such employees to meet charges imposed by wa.y of wages tax, sales tax and exchange” was the text of a motion tabled by Mr J. Hudgens when the Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday afternoon, had under consideration the adoption of its annual estimates, and was perusing the schedule of salaries under which various increases were approved. “The staff is approximately the same as at- March 31 last,” reported the managing-secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps). “There is one more senior sister and there is a slightly larger proportion of trained nurses than was previously the case. Assuming that the numbers remain the same, there will be vacancies for approximately ten probationers at the end of August and approximately ten at the end of February, 1935. The maternity home staff was increased during the year by the appointment of an additional sister. It will be remembered that this was done on the recommendation of Miss Lambic (Director of Nursing) after her inspection.” It was pointed out by the chairman (Air J. Iv. Hornblow) that employees of the board had not received the second wage reduction, and were continuing to get the ordinary annual salary increments to which staff members were entitled. He thought that the payments to the nurses compared more than favourably with those of other boards. Salary increases due under increments were approved after a full consideration of the staff list.

Air R. L. C. Aitchison, in response to his query concerning the number of hours worked by probationers, was informed that they were eight hours daily, including meals, with one day a week off, the total being about 42 hours a week. The chairman said that there wa.s a grtat demand by applicants for nursing positions. Air A. E. Alansford: Does this competition account for the small salaries? —No. The resolution set out above was moved by Air Hodgens. The board, he said, four or five years ago had a certain standard of payment for its employees, and he would like to see that carried out this year. Air Alansford seconded the motion pro forma. “There would have been no altera-

tion but for the practical closure by the department,” said the chairman. GENERAL INCREASE OPPOSED. Air G. A. Alonk said he was very much in sympathy with what the mover had said, but on the estimates being framed the local body which he represented (the Horowhenua County Council) had to find an additional £6OO, or some 16 per cent., for its sha.ro of hospital finance this year, when last year it collected only 74 per cent, of its rates. He strenuously opposed the proposed wage increase, as the Hospital staff, with their living quarters and regular income, were in a much better position than many farmer ratepayers. Unless the pressure on the latter were relaxed, they would have to default.

Similar views were expressed by Air F. J. Ryder (Otaki), who said that under the present conditions the proposal was impracticable. Air D. Collis said the Kairanga County, too, had to find an additional £6OO this year, in a period when the dairy farmer was showing a working loss. He opposed the motion. Air V. E. Smith opposed the motion for simliar reasons. Air Alansford said that Britain had dropped the policy of deflation and was now well on the way to recovery. There would have to be increases in wages and salaries all round, in addition to something else, before there could be recovery. The position could be remedied by the Government taking up a certain attitude, and not until then would the old conditions be restored.

Mr W. Howell said tlie Pohangina. County still had uncollected £3OO in Hospital rates and could not bear a heavier burden. Until there was an alteration in the national system, wages increases under the present circumstances were impracticable. Sir L. T. McLean opposed the motion, saving that the whole communitv had to be considered. The staff at

the Hospital were well fed, well housed and well looked after. The chairman said he would like tr> have seen an increase in the salaries of the lower Daid staff. Mr Aitchison said he felt that the time was inopportune for a 10 per cent, increase Put rvould move an amendment that the scale of salaries for first year nurses be increased from £36 to £4O. second year nurses £45 to £47 10s, third year nurses £55 to £57 10s, of qualified staff nurses from £7O to £75, of Hospital nurses training in the maternity home from £SO to £55, of qualified porters from £B4 10s to £9O, of the laundry employees’ maximum from £B4 10s to £2O, the wardmaids and kitchenmaids to receive the ordinary increase of 2s 6d

a week due according to service, and Various specified employees to have their salaries increased. The resolution, sunnorted by Alessrs

Hodgens, Alansford and Aitchison, was lost, and the amendment was withdrawn, being put forward in sections later as each salary classification was reached. Authority was given for the employment of a second qualified officer for the hoard’s office staff, should it be necessary.