SALARIES BILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 August 1931, Page 5

SALARIES BILL

AMENDMENTS BY COUNCIL CRISIS THREATENED MR LANG TAKES SERIOUS VIEW (United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 4th August, ' The Legislative Council resumed consideration of the Public Service Salaries Reduction Bill, which it is believed will precipitate a State political crisis, as the Council intends to amend the Bill by providing a graduated scale of reductions applying to lower as well as higher employees, and eliminating the £SOO salary maximum, which is described as iniquitous. Mr Lang takes so serious a view of the matter that he cancelled his trip to Melbourne to-night to attend the Loan Council, and sent his Attorney-General, Mr Lamaro, as substitute. Well-informed quarters state that Mr Lang’s position is desperate. He must have half a million from the Loan Council this week in order to pay Government employees on Thursday, and the Loan Council, before granting more money, intends to insist that- bis economy plan must be in full working order, BILL AMENDED £SOO MAXIMUM REMOVED GRADUATED REDUCTIONS (Received sth August. 9.50 a.m.)~ SYDNEY, This Day. 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 Boyce, who moved the amendment, estimated the savings under the new scheme at £1,850,000. He said that it was the public servants’ own scheme, with modifications, that was incorporated in the amendment. Under the amendment the salary of every officer would be reduced as follows: —Fifteen per cent, on' those between £IOO to £200; 17j per cent, between £2OO and £4OO ; 20 per cent, between £4OO and £6OO ; 22per cent, between £6OO and £800; 25 per cent, .between £BOO and £IOOO ; 27£ per cent, between £IOOO and £ISOO ; 32),- per cent, on salaries in excess of £ISOO. The “Labour Daily” says that if the Government refuses to accept the drastic amendments to the Salaries 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 Lang has not become law;; In this event there will be little or no pay for the public service to-morrow. GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANK SYDNEY, 4th August. The Premier, Mr Lang,, told a deputation that the Goyernment intends reopening the Government Savings Bank. Legislation for this purpose is being prepared and, will be introduced, shortly, A committee'>of Jiigh Government offidials had reported on a plan by which the bank could be resuscitated and conducted profitably. Every effort would be- made to eliminate political influence from the method of management and for the restoration of public confidence.