REDUCTION OF WAGES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 6

REDUCTION OF WAGES.

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER. PARLIAMENT MUST DECIDE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 18. _ A deputation representing the Public Service Association, the Educational Institute, Post and Telegraph Employees' Association, the Railway Officers’ Institute, the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Enginedrivers, Firemens and Cleaners’ Association, and Railway Tradesmen’s Association waited to-day on the Prime Minister and placed before him their views on the question of the 10 per cent, cut in State salaries. The main point brought forward was that the proposal was one which put an unfair and intolerable share of the burden of balancing the Budget on State employees. It was stated that even if awards were reduced by 10 per cent., and if all other wages and salaries were equally reduced, it was not to be asserted that the cost of living would fall in proportion. It was further asserted that the Government could have no effective control over the rates of interest, and also that a large number of State servants had entered into financial commitments on their present rate of remuneration. Mr Forbes said the question was. one for Parliament to decide whether or not his policy was to be ratified. POST AND TELEGRAPH PROTEST. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 18. The Wellington section of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association last night resolved that while recognising that the country is passing through an unfavourable period, it was firmly of opinion that a 10 per cent, reduction in salaries, particularly of those still suffering from the reductions made in 1921, is grossly unjust. The meeting considered that if the civil service was required to contribute towards the deficit, then every person in the country should do so? also that mer chants and business houses and distributors of all articles should be compelled by Act of Parliament to reduce prices, as also should professional men in all walks of life, and proprietors of newspapers. SUGGESTION FROM HAMILTON. LOWER INCOME-TAX EXEMPTION. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, February 18. At a well-attended meeting of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on wage reductions was discussed, and the following resolution was carried: “This section is of opinion that as the Prime Minister, in announcing a 10 per cent, cut, has failed to take into consideration the salary reductions of 1921-22, he should be requested to revise his proposals with a view to grading them to bear less harshly on the lower-paid officers. This section further considers that any determination of Parliament should be subject to review after a period of not more than 12 months.” The suggestion was made that, instead of salary reductions, tlm income tax exemption limit should be’ lowered to £2OO per annum, giving a similar rebate for a wife as is now afforded to children, thus enforcing the whole adult population, male and female, in receipt of a wage over £4 weekly to contribute to,the State. i