WAGES INCREASED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 22 November 1934, Page 2

WAGES INCREASED.

IN KIWITEA COUNTY. As front April 1 last, the salaries and wages paid to employees of the Iviwitea County Council will be subject to an increase of 5 per cent., a decision to take such a step being made at yesterday’s meeting of the council. The question arose following the receipt of a letter from the Public Works Department, advising that the Main Highways Board had decided that the recent increase of 5 per cent, in rates of pay will apply as from April 1, 1934, and enclosing a schedule of the new standard rates of pay; the increased rates to be admissible in claims for highway work actually performed as from April 1, 1934, provided that local bodies have actually paid the increased or higher rates. The clerk (Mr W. Hesseltine) stated that, from October 1, the 5 per cent, increase would mean £lO2 6s 6d to the council, outside staff payments being £B3 4s and the inside staff £l9 2s 6d. , The chairman (Cr. L. T. McLean) thought that the council should take advantage of the fact that the Highways Board would be paying about £IOO of the sum required, and it simply meant that if the council did not grant the increase for its staff some other local body would get it. Cr. J. H. Williamson considered the council could not afford t-o increase wages. The farmers were in no better position than they were when the wages were reduced, and the prospects generally did not look any better. Cr. N. V. Shannon said he was impartial, but at the same time he felt certain that an increase in wages would make the council’s employees more happy in their work and this itself would mean an adequate return for the extra expenditure. Replying to-the' point raised by Cr. Williamson anent the council not being able to afford to pay the increase the chair mail said that this year the farmers were to get a 12) per cent, rate subsidy, which would make matters easier for them. . . , Cr. W. Hair was of the opinion that the council could not grant the increase, although he realised that the employees had been “cut” in their wages and that the council had promised to consider an increase when the Government reinstated the “cuts it had made. Cr. J. A. T. Brown said he had no objection to the increase provided estimates allowed for the extra sum required, and Crs. W. P. Shaw and F O. Stack also declared themselves as favourable to the 5 per cent. rise. - Support for the increase was likewise forthcoming from Cr. F. E. lappin, who thought that Cr. Shannon s remarks regarding the employees doing more contented work were entitled to consideration. It was finally decided, on tne motion of the chairman and Cr. Shaw, to grant the 5 per cent, increase in wages and salaries as from April 1, 1934.