SALARIES TO RISE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 10, 7 March 1930, Page 5

SALARIES TO RISE

P. AND T. LOWER GRADES

CABINET WANTS UNIFORMITY WELLINGTON, March (i. When the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward) assumed the portfolio of Postmaster-General a few mouths ago ho stated that it was particularly for the purpose of examining in detail the position of employees in that Department of which, formerly, he had a long experience. There appeared to bo a differentiation in conditions of employment in different portions of the Government service, apparently without any reason and therefore, he said that he intended to have certain complaints in regard to the Post and Telegraph services investigated without delay. Sir Joseph requested that a uniformity committee bo set up to investigate the position and he has now received the committee’s report. He stated to-day that, after giving the matter full consideration, lie had decided to amend the salary schedule of the lower paid officers because he had come to the conclusion that the scale for the General Division required revision so as to provide more reasonable payment to the male officers in that division, after completing what might be termed their “apprenticeship period” of five years service. “For some reason not apparent,” said the Prime Minister “junior workmen in the Post and Telegraph service have had to serve longer apprenticeship than is customary in private work or in other departments of State and Cabinet has agreed to a revision of the salary schedule of male officers of the General Division of the Post and Tidegraph service, which will bring those wages into lino with the general practice. For instance a workman usually reaches the maximum of his grade (£240) who ho is 20 years of age, but, under the new scale lie should roach that wage at approximately 23 years of ago.” The new schedule will operate from April next.