HOSPITAL BOARD SALARIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 April 1934, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD SALARIES

NO RESTORATION OF “CUTS” ■ TOWN COMMITTEE’S .RECOMMENDATION ADOPTED Among the subjects referred to the Town Committee of the Nelson Hospital Board to consider when the estimates for the ensuing year were being prepared, was the restoration of salary reductions . and the increase of subsidies paid to the district medical officers and nurses.

The committee reported to to-day’s meeting of the hoard that it had resolved, on the motion of the chairman (Major R. Dagger) and Mrs Watson: “That in view of the increased requirements necessitated by the adverse financial position this committee regretfully recommends that no action he taken relative to restoration of salary and subsidy reductions.” At the committee meeting Mr J. Fit/.-Gerald had dissented from this recommendation, lie being of the opinion that both salary and subsidy reductions should he reviewed. Tho chairman said that much as he respected Mr Fitz-Gerald’s opinion the board’s first care was to safeguard the interests cf tlie public. At the same time lie would point out that the board was sympathetic towards its staff and would do all it could for them. However, already the ratepayers would have to meet an increased subsidy and lie did not think the hoard would he justified in increasing salaries or subsidies.

Mr Fitz-Gerald said in dissenting from the recommendations, he considered there were"oople on tlie staff who were poorly paid, and lie had come to the conclusion that the committee should go through the wages and see if any anomalies existed with a view to having them rectified. He had never agreed with the reduction in nurses’ salaries as it was so petty, and it was not a credit to the community. If 50 per cent of the cuts were restored it would not mean much to the ratepayers —about £2OO. The chairman said Mr Fitz-Cerald’s method would he dangerous. The matter should he dealt with on a general basis. Each individual member of the staff could make a good case for the restoration. If there was an anomaly it was theve before the reductions were made as the reductions had covered the whole of the staff on an equal basis.

Major Dagger said if the board had been in a different position none other Ilian he would have been more pleased to recommend the restoration of tho reduction in wages. However, many of the ratepayers who were being call-, ed upon to make an increased contribution this year, were in a worse position than members of the board’s staff.

Mr F. Gibbs: “I. «uite agree with you. None more than I would like to see the ‘cuts’ restored, but the ratepayers are hard hit' and I could not support an increase in wages at present.”. ,i The meeting endorsed the recommendation of the Town Committe.