SALARY INCREASES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 11

SALARY INCREASES

OBJECTIONS AT TRANSPORT BOARD GRADING SCHEME ADOPTED Following a report in which certain ' treatment was recommended for ser-; vants who had reached the maximum ; salary for their grading, the Transport Board had a somewhat acrimonious discussion yesterday. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman, moved that the board discuss the report .in committee, reporting back to the board, the idea being to allow a free discussion. He pointed out that it meant that the grading system arranged by the City Council*for employees receiving less than £SOO annually be adopted, and that salaries not provided for in the grading be discussed by the board. Mr. F. S. Morton referred *to the case of a man who was receiving £9 10s a week, for whom another 10s a week was proposed. In addition, the same man was getting £3 from another service to the department, which meant £l3 a week. “I am satisfied that if the members were dealing with their own capital there would be an outburst of Scottish and Hebrew philosophy that would almost turn Auckland into the Eternal City,” remarked Mr. Morton. Mr. A. J. Entrican: At Oneliunga, anyhow. Mr. Morton: This service is paying an average of £6. It is a scandal. No business could stand up to it. Mr. E. J. Phelan: What is the average wage of the working man? Mr. Morton: We just go over their heads. He moved that the question be deferred until such time as the men’s conditions were reviewed. He said the total increases amounted to £945. As soon as the board saw a few golden sovereigns on the horizon it was getting rid of them. After a general discussion, the chairman said the remuneration of servants must depend on the services they rendered. To adopt the grading scheme was merely to keep faith with the men. The board had a really excellent staff, considering its size. The relations with it were harmonious, and nothing tended to upset this more than discussions on wages. The motion was carried.