MUNICIPAL SALARIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18075, 25 October 1920, Page 6

MUNICIPAL SALARIES.

TO THE Sir,—l have read with interest your articles respecting the salaries of our municipal officers. I was once a junior member of the municipal stafi, but resigned owing to the poor chances of advancement offering. The method adopted in the corporation is tliis: If a position beoomes vacant owing to the resignation of an officer (there have been over a dozen such within the last year), temporary hands are appointed to fill the vacancies. The juniors do not, as they clearly should] get a "shift up" all round. At the ] resent time there are, I understand, about a dozen temporary clerks—one department having only three permanent hands. Somo of the3e "casual" hands have been constantly <irployed for periods up to 10 years. These vacancies should be advertised if they cannot be filled by junior members of the stall. During the past three or four months the council has advertised for cadet« to fill but without success. A junior civil service pass is considered essential to enable the candidates to secure the position but as the chances of advancement are well known, boys will not offer, and the standard cannot be maintained. It is about time : uO'h a committee as you speak of in your articles was appointed to go into this matter. I lelieve the oommittee has made its report, but it was understood that it was going (quoting from your article) more ospecially into salaries of lower-paid officers. Its recommendation. is now to hand, and advocates an increase to the town clerk and others of £100 pet annum, and to the juniors £4 per annum. I am, etc., Disgusted. Dunedin, October 16. THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BILL. TO* THE KDITOB. Sm,—Mr Massey's speech on the Elective Executive Bill was certainly not complimentary to the political party that follows his leadership. He (Mr Maesey) has a high opinion of his own discriminating intelligence that fits him (and him alone) as the member of Parliament who is capable of deciding who is a fit person to occupy a seat in the Executive. He asks the ejectors of this dominion to accoot his dictttm) that the majority of members of Parliament are so lacking in ordinary intelligence as to he unfit to vote on the question of who should occupy a seat in the Ministry, and that to entrust them with this power would result in a burlesque. The Electivo Executive Bill is the measure which provides for representative Government and would plaoe the power now exercised by one man m tne hands of the people's representatives. Under the present system wo have a Cabinet chesesa and moninatcd by one person, who by virtue of his office and powers becomes an autocrat. The other members of the Uibmet are creatures of his creation, who hold their position at his will. And he demands a following who will yield implicit obedience to his imperious will. No douJbt the present position is gratifying to the ambition of the person who may hold the position of Premier; bnt it is an absolute raroo to talk of democratic Government un<ior ruch conditions.—l e tc, Pao saltan,