CIVIL SERVICE WAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 14

CIVIL SERVICE WAGES

RAILWAYMEN'S PROTEST FULL RESTORATION SOUGHT The purpose of the Government to make only a per cent restoration of civil service salaries from October 1 was criticised at a special meeting of tho Auckland branch of the New Zealand Railway Officers' Institute yesterday. Although the meeting was called for the lunch hour, at short notice, thers was a very large proportion of the members present. A resolution was passed expressing keen disappointment at only a further partial restoration of the cuts imposed in 1931 and 19132, and requesting the executive corrfinittee to take such action as was possible to obtain full restoration.* It was considered that in view of the buoyant state of tho country's finances, the fact that the cost of living was showing a marked increase and that many of the important service conditions had been lost or considerably modified, the injustice to public servants should be remedied immediately. It was also considered that placing salaries back to the pro-depression level would have a beneficial effect on business, as practically the whole of any increase would have to be spent, with the result that there would be more money in circulation.

The meeting also viewed with disappointment the circumstances that the increase proposed did not cover the full year for which the Budget was prepared, and was, in effect, only an increase of 3J per cent for the current year. The meeting pledged its support to any action the executive might take to right what was held to be an injustice.