Increased Salaries for Council Officers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 642, 19 April 1929, Page 16

Increased Salaries for Council Officers

MINORITY PROTEST “POLITICAL SPEECHES” Salary increases to men in receipt of £SOO or more a year caused more strong protests at the City Council last evening. TTHEN the list of officers was produced to councillors, the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, said he had only two suggestions to make, these being that the checking officer and chief traffic officer should receive £SO more, each man having thoroughly deserved an increase. The list showed 19 servants with salaries of £SOO or over, ranging up to £1,500, the city engineer’s position being vacant, and therefore not included. The 19 receive £13,420 annually between them. Mr. E. J. Phelan said he must again oppose any increases to salaries of already £ 500 or more. While the present position prevailed, and there were men working for the council on 12s to 14s a day, he could not agree to increases to men who already were comfortably off, even if they were entitled to more. “We can’t do work, and we are discharging men, and to suggest increases | like this is highly ridiculous,” said 1 Cr. W. H. Murray, in opposing the increases, and advocating waiting until the finances were more opportune. Ou the eve of retirement the move was quite a wrong one. “I very much doubt that conditions are going to be better this winter,” remarked Mr. Murray, "new Government or not.” "I think it is deplorable that salary increases should be made the opportunity for political speeches,” said Cr. J. A. C. Allum. “I do not think any councillor or citizen appreciates it. Cr. Murray: It’s a pity about you. Cr. Allum: Don’t let us mix up the value of a servant with some political consideration. The state of our finances is all right, and they and the coming winter would be better for fewer croakers. He reminded councillors that council officers voluntarily allowed reductions from their salaries last winter to help unemployed. Cr. Bloodworth agreed with Cr. Phelan, and deprecated the names of officers and their salaries being discussed in ibis way. Cr. L. A. Eady hoped that the new council would seriously consider unemployment insurance to help the men on the time sheets. Cr. Murray then endeavoured to

move an amendment with the idea of! speaking again. The Mayor blocked this and refused to take an amendment. , we . nt OQ }° say that the council . i2. lost goo<i officers because it would not pay to keep them. Responsibility without commensurate compensation was not a fair thine Sren«; 100 would not make much difsawft?he>a lons discus sion a division saw the increases carried bv is to ray j e nn S 7a ie T 3 being Cra. Murraj, j. Donald, M. J Covlp t Phelan, G. Davis and T. Bloodworth.!