WAGES CUT DISCUSSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20889, 3 June 1931, Page 11

WAGES CUT DISCUSSED.

TRANSPORT BOARD'S ACTION.

FINALITY NOT REACHED. CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE. Emphatic protests were made by several members of the Auckland Transport Board yesterday against the wish of the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, to go into committee to discuss the question of reducing wages and salaries of the board's employees in accordance with the recent order of the Arbitration Court. Mr. Allum moved that the board go into committee in order that members would have the fullest opportunity of discussion without hindrance from the standing orders.

Mr. T. Bloodworth asked why the board should go into committee. It might be a reasonable course later but at. the moment the board had nothing before it. Mr. Allum: You will see. I am not doing anything unreasonable. Mr. E. H. Potter opposed the proposal. "It is a public matter which we should discuss openly," he said. Mr. Allum appealed to members to adopt the motion. They would be afforded ample opportunity later to repeat in open board all that was said. At present what he was doing was for the benefit of themselves.

Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P., said ho knew of no reason why the board should go into committee. The views of the chairman, however, were entitled to consideration, and as a matter of courtesy members should not resist his request. Ho would grudgingly agree to go into committee on the matter.

Mr. W. H. Nagle said lie would agree only as a result of the assurance of the chairman that there would be 'a later opportunity for a full and open discussion.

Mr. F. N. Bartram said he would vote against the proposal, but in doing so did not wish to be regarded as guilty of discourfesv to the chairman.

Mr. G. Grey Campbell was also op posed to tlm motion but waived his ob jections in view of the chairman's pro mise.

The. board then went into committee to consider a resolution formally moved by Mr. Allum that all honoraria, wages and salaries paid by tho board should be reduced by 10 per cent., to take effect from June 1 and June 8.

After a prolonged discussion the board adjourned in committee until to-morrow afternoon. Finality was not reached.

TRAMWAYMEN'S COURSE. APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION. A report that the Tramwaymen's Union was considering methods of resisting any wages reduction was • denied by the secretary of the union, Mr. J. Liddell, last evening. '-Until the reduction is actually made there is nothing we can discuss," said Mr. Liddell. If a reduction was made, Mr. Liddell said the union would apply to the Arbitration Court for exemption. NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL. DECISION NOT YET MADE.

The question of wage reductions was discussed by the Northcote Borough Council last evening, but no definite decision was reached. In introducing the matter, the Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, suggested that a 10 per cent, reduction should be made in all salaries and wages with the exception of any below £IOO a year. After discussion, the council deferred the matter to the next meeting. In the meantime each member of the council is to be furnished with a list of the remunerations of all employees. CITY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES. NO GHEISTCHURCH REDUCTIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —'PRESS -ASSOCIATION.] C'HRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Jn addition to restoring the reduction previously imposed 011 the wages of employees who are not. governed by awards, the Christchurch City Council will_ not impose the 10 per cent, reduction indicated by the Arbitration Court on employees who are governed by awards. ''The Court's ruling was merely permissive," said Mr. J. McConibs, M.P.. chairman of the Finance Committee, today.

Back pay to the former class of workers amounts to £500.-