THE SECOND “CUT"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11248, 28 June 1922, Page 6

THE SECOND “CUT"

CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES STRONG PROTEST AGAINST REDUCTIONS. “SPECIAL TAXATION.” The objections of the various branches of the civil service to the second cut ill the salaries of State employees, which the Minister for Finance proposes to effect as from July Ist, were voiced at a meeting held at the Town Hall last evening. A number of members of Parliament were present, and apologies for absence were • received from air T. M. Milford, Leader of the Opposition and Dr. E. Newman, member for 'Wellington East. Mr T. F. Falconer, chairman of the joint committee of the combined civil servants’ associations, presided. The chairman said that all the local members of Parliament had been circularised, ashing them to state their attitude in regard to the second cut and to what extent they were prepared to assist the association in inducing the Minister for Finance to postpone the reduotdon. MEMBERS’ REPLIES. He proceeded to read the communications that had been received. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) outlined the attitude his party had taken up last session in opposing the first cut, aud gave the assurance that he would oppose any cut in salaries of £320 ot under. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) communicated' that he had interviewed the Prime Minister in reference to the cut, and had asked that it should be avoided. He had opposed the reduction of salaries of civil servants below what he believed a living income, and still took up the same attitude. Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South) stated that during the last session he had opposed the reduction of salaries of the lower-paid oivi] servants. Since then he had seen no reason to alter his mind in the matt Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said he was in complete agreement with the civil servants’ views. The Labour Party had opposed the first cut .to the last ditch, and would fight determinedly this session as ft had done last session. (Applause.) Sir John Luke (Wellington North) wrote that he would urge the Minister for Finance to refrain from making the second! cut. Dr. Newman expressed himself as being opposed to any cut in the salaries of the Tank and file of the servioe, and stated that ‘he had made several suggestions to the Prime Minister in regard to finding the necessary money OTHER INTERESTS FAVOURED. Mr Falconer said it was to he as. sumed that any member who failed to reply to the circular was not in sympathy with the civil servants. No reply had been received from Mr W. H. Field, member for Otaki. All the local members of Parliament had signified that they were not in favour of the cut, and he felt sure the majority of the people in New Zealand were of the same mind, believing that if the reduction was effected it would bring actual want -into thousands of homes in the Dominion. The Massey party seemed to be out to favour the interest of others, especially of the farmers, who up till recently rode on the highest road to prosperity. He thought there was still time to induce the Minister to refrain from bringing the second cut into operation. Mr W. Sullivan, president of the A.S.R.S., detailed the increases in salaries that had been granted to civil servants during and since the war. Dealing with the Arbitration Court's stabilisation scheme, ho pointed out that the workers under awards had had their wages stabilised until May, 1922. They had received an increase since the last rise had been given to the public servants, and he saw no logical reason why the stabilisation should not have been applied to both, j The Prime Minister had stated that the public servants were not overpaid lin January last. Since then the pros- : perity of the country had considerably brightened with the improvements in tho prices of wool and other products. That should be a good reason why tho second cut should not be made. The Government servants already had to contribute to tho revenue of the country through the ordinary channels of taxation, and they should not be further expected to pay a tax into the Consolidated Fund by a reduction in salaries. If the Government was short of money it should secure it by taxing the whole of the people according to their means and ability to pay. At present the man who was least able tt> pay had to bear too much of the taxation, while the man who was best able to afford it was let off comparatively lightly. A deliberate attempt was being made to force down wages, but there was a breaking point and it was dangerously near. He did not say that as a threat, hut they could not shut their eyes to the true position of things. There was a limit to the amount of pressure that a man could bear. BURDENS OF TAXATION. Mr H. E. Combs, secretary of the P. and T. Association, said his branch of the service heartily opposed tho second cut. It was most unjust to call upon one seotion of the community to carry a share of taxation out of proportion to their means, and it was doubly unfair that relief slid&ld ho given to those who were in a position to buy or sell tho whole of the public servioo if they so wished. IvS was altogether unjust that tho wealthy section of 'the community should he made presents of large rebates. Dealing with the cost of living fluctuations, lie Claimed that in effecting salary reductions tho Government Statistician should take into account the figures of all groups, for they comprised tho necessities of the average home. Mr F. W. Millar (secretary of the Public Service Association) said that the association was at one with the other civil servants* organisations in opposing the second cut to the full extent of its constitutional powers. They considered no further reduction in salaries on any basis was justified by tho facts. There could be no justification unless the country were on the verge of bankruptcy. Dealing with the financial condition of the country, ho maintained that provision should be .made by the Government out of tho excess revenue of one year for meeting a shrinkage which was obviously to b© expected in the following year. Mr J. R. Robertson, president of the Railway Officers’ Institute, went into SKIN TROUBLES VANISH. For eczema, pimples, and other distressing skin eruptions uso Bee Ointment, a proven remedy of over 50 years* standing. Its soothing, healing properties stop itching instantly and soon effect a permanent cure. Is Cd, chemists and stores. Generous Free Samplo sent on request to Bee Ointment Proprietary, Box 388. Wellington.—AdvL

details in regard to the cost of living and the Government Statistician’s computations. Jf the railwayman were subjected to tilt second cut, ho said, they would be reduced to a basic wage of 13s per day, as against the minimum of 14s 7tf which the Arbitration Court set down. At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolution was carried. This combined meeting of members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, Post and "Telegraph Officers’ Association, Public Service Association, and Railway Officers’i Institute fully appreciates and endorses the attitude adopted by their respective executive committees and urges them to continue to press the case against the further reduction of public servants' salaries and wages knowing that any such reduction will immediately bring the inmates of thousands of homes below the bread-and-butter line. It affirms the position taken up. viz., that the duties and responsibilities of public servants have been increased —that the cost of living has not fallen, vide the Arbitration. Court’s latest decision—and that a further salary reduction would therefore be equivalent to special taxation, thereby defying the fundamental principle that every citizen should be taxed for the country’s needs in proportion to his moans. The mteeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. PROTEST FROM MASTERTON “UNWARRANTED AND INEQUITABLE.” (By Telegraph—Special to ‘Times.”) MASTERTON, June 27. A big kepS’esentatilvo meeting of civil servants passed the following resolutions : “That this meeing of combined civil servant associations of Masterton coneiders that the proposed second cut in salaries or wages is unwarranted and inequitable on the following grounds: (a) That the recent pronouncement of the Arbitration Court is to the effect that the percentage of increase in the cost of living is now 67 per cent, above the July, 1914, level; (b) that tho bonus granted to civil servants was assessed when the cost of living figures were 68 per cent, above the 1914 level; (c) that already the public servants have had one cut in salary, from January Ist) which is in excess of that made on the wages of workers in outside employment and whose reduction did not take effect until May last; (d) that whilst members of the public service are prepared to shoulder their share of the country’s burden, they consider that the infliction of another cut in their salaries or wages, which is not justified by the present oost of living figures, is, in effect, an imposition of a special tax on one section of the community.”