THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16373, 22 June 1927, Page 3

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

EETUKN OF SALAIiY CUT WANTED. "BATTLE OF EIGHTS" MUST CONTINUE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, lust night. The annual report submitted to the public service conference says:— "Wo compile this report at amoment of economic depression, which, immediately it shows its bead, our experience through years tells us, automatically compels certain eyes to direct themselves towards the salaries of public servants as a possible avenue of pruning expenditure without the groups concerned considering the justice or the reason of such course. The 1021 depression descended Upon New Zealand like aU avalanche. Political powers were caught in the slide and the public service suffered to a large extent unjustly, but that is an Old sore. To-day, the depression that. exists has come upon lis gradually, and Ministers have had an opportunity of thought and perhaps of investigation,, and as the result we do not think that any body of sane men can seriously consider taking into consideration the facts, the question of attacking our salaries. Let us state plainly that, though the service findsitself retarded in its action by the present economic conditions, living costs justify nothing less than the return of our two salary cuts, and the battle for our rights must be continued with unabated vigor. In thia question of salary the year has brought disappointment, though otherwise, it has been oho of steady progress both in activities and in internal organisation." . The report stated that the membership of the association had increased by nearly 300 during tho year, which had been practically a record one as regards nnaaeej there being a good in* crease in current subscriptions. For a year or two the association had been advocating tho institution of a seheme of payment of family allowances by the Government in the hope that tho lesser-paid men with responsibilities might securti sumo relief. By the tune timo the executive of the Government had committed its ideas to paper the salary limit was whittled down to £2OO per annum aiitl an allowance of 28s for each child. It was obvious the sheer futility of this legislation as a meaiis of granting any reasonable assistance to the family nian, and renders it unnecessary for us to make any further comment. Tho mattci* comes up again for consideration at this conference. The conference then proceeded with the consideration of remits. t.. .