STATE SERVANTS' REQUEST.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14545, 25 October 1917, Page 6

STATE SERVANTS' REQUEST.

FOOD CONTROLLER Oil WAS

BONUS

(From Our Parliamentary Correspon

ueno.;

Wellington, Oct. 22.

It is interesting to note that ti.o recommendation or the Cost of Living Committee regarding the control of local prices for New Zealand products was almost exactly that put forward by the Council of the New Zealand fetato Servants, whose petitions caused the setting-up of tl:e committee. The State Servants advocated the payment of the difference, between export prices mid cue Jixod local prices out of the Consolidated; Fund, and, although the committee at first favoured an extension of tl:o but tor-fat levy system on exports, to create an equalisation fund, they eventually resolved to adopt tho alternative of charging the general tax^payer, though tae House ultimately referred this back for reconsideration. Tie State' Servants asked that the local -prices be fixed at the standard prevailing before tlio war, and that the difference be made up, by extra land and income taxation. Judging by tho otaw. I'SeivancM' representatives to the Prime Minister, they would prefer this system to an increase in wages.

Tie Governnient, however, is wrestling with the problem in another way, having evidently como to the conclusion tnat it is too late and too difficult to go in for any substantial measure of price fixing. This' being the case, it ];as to decide how far id can meet the claims of its employees, who consider that, as the cost of living has gone up by 25 per cent, they are- compelled to- ask for the following increases, in addition to tte payment-of the existing war bonus: — Officers with salaries of £260 pei annum or under, Is a day.

Officers viith salaries of over £260 per annum and not more than £315 per annum, 9d a day.

Officers with salaries over £315 and not more than £450 per annum, 6d a day.

Jdow far is the Government likely to go in meeting these demands, 111 viow of its many otter heavy financial obligations? The opinion of members is that the lower-paid railwayinen must receive a further increase, but thero is less heard about the necessity of making this second war bonus general. A very important factor in the situation which compels the Government to give it serious attention is the extent to which railwaymen are leaving the service for outside employment. Resignations from the service are ab once reflected in tte repayments of superannuation contributions authorised by tho Railways Superannuation Board. Theso amounts have been so large during tho last few months that they lave called for comment at the meetings, but at the laat meeting of the board on October Bth. this unfortunate development reached a record point, the amount of contributions returned to resigning members totalling £7000. Inquiry shows tiat the members resigning are not only those with short service, but that they include many who are able to draw up to £'50 in refunds of contributions.