THE WAGES CUT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22205, 7 March 1934, Page 6

THE WAGES CUT

PROPOSED RESTORATION DISCUSSED BY GREEN ISLAND . QpUNCIL. . ' -* When a recommendation by the Finance Committee that. the time was not yet opportune for the restoration of the 10 per cent, wage cut came up for discussion' at last, ttighfs meeting of the Green Island Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr W. 0. .Sniellie) suggested that the council Bhould go into committee. . ■'■.'- '' :■ ■' : "•■"'■ -

Cr G. Orange said that the-matter shoujd be taken in open council. The ratepayers were interested, and would like to hear the council's views. The matter was then put to the: council, which decided to discuss the question in open meeting. Cr T. M'Ahan said that this was one of the unpleasant things the council had to face from time to time. The Finance Committee had given it a very great deal of consideration, and had gone into the question,frommany points of view. No lead had as yet been given by the Government. While their sympathies were with the staff they felt that the time was inopportune for the restoration of the 10 per cent. cut. The restoration of a portion of it had been discussed., but the same opinion was expressed by the committee. He formallv moved that the' recommendation of the Finance Committee, that the time was not yet opportune for the restoration of the 10 per cent, cut, be adopted, Cr T. G. Tomkins seconded the motion, saying that like Cr M'Ahan he would be only too pleased to see the 10 per cent, restoration immediately ' established. He "Was not prepared to vote on anything that would tend to burden the ratepayers next year. It was not a pleasure to second the motion, but he did it as his duty.

Cr J. C. Russell endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. The question had, he said, received the closest consideration. '.'•;*' Cr W. A.Miller saidthat it was very necessary that the purchasing power of the Dominion must go up as a whole, and it was very desirable that Green Island as a borough, should give an example. If the indications were that the position was being considered from a national point of view he thought.they should srive the matter their serious and sympathetic consideration. The Mayor also said that he would like to see the cut restored, but he did not think it r was wise to "do eo at present. The recommendation was opposed by Crs N. Pringle and Orange, the latter moving an amendment that the matter be referred back to the Finance Committee. This .was seconded by the Mayor, and carried.