CUT IN P. AND T. SALARIES

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1929, Page 11

CUT IN P. AND T. SALARIES

MOVE FOR REINSTATEMENT it* AMENDMENT MOVED' TO ESTIMATE. PREMIER PROMISES STATEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 11. Urgency was accorded the business of the day when the House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. Replying to Mr. J. A. Nash the Hon. W. A. Veitch said that the statement in a Wellington newspaper that the Transport Bill would not be proceeded with this session was incorrect, lhe newspaper had no authority to publish the statement and Cabinet had not decided to postpone the Bill. .Mr. Nash; “The Bill will.go on then?”

Mr. Veitch: “Yes.’ The House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates, when the vote for the Post Office account (£2,639,398) was submitted.

The Hon. J. G. Coates said ne wished to say something about salaries. He stated that before the last election the Government had been approached in the 1 matter. It had been technically impossible to grant an increase. There had been so many promotions and revaluations of positions that individuals could not look for a return of what might have been regarded as a “cut.” Mr. Coates added that a deputation had been informed that re-classification was duo on April 1, 1929. Whether it would have been possible to give effect to that re-classification would have depended on finance. That statement applied to the whole public service, though the reply on that particular’ occasion referred only to the Post and Telegraph service. -. . : .■<-.' c- <• '

Mr. Coates stated that the position in relation .to Post and Telegraph employees was difficult. Every year a large number of men reached a certain grade with no prospect of getting further. He suggested tht the position could be relieved somewhat by the promotion of officers from this to other departments. “HAD HAD A BAD SPIN.” Mr. 11. E. Holland (Buller) stated that Post and Telegraph employees had had a Bad spin under the Reform administration and he urged that the “cut” should be restored. The Minister would .probably say that it was a matter of finance, but Mr. Holland contended there was no shortage of money" in the country, and certainly not in this department. Ho moved that the vote be reduced £2 as a recommendation to the Government that the salaries of employees in the Post and Telegraph Department should be restored to the 1922 standard. Mr. A. M. Samuel drew attention to the salaries of young men on lower grades and urged that the position should bo relieved on. the lines suggested by Mr. Coates—re-classification and; promotion to other services. Mr. P. Fraser stated that Mr.- Coates had thrown light on the subject. Reclassification, involving an increase in salaries, would have practically the same effect as the restoration of the “cut.” He contended that there was no division of opinion in the House on the subject. Mr. J. T. Hogan supported this view. The Hon. J, B. Donald, PostmasterGenera], stated that the restoration of the “cut” was a policy matter, and it would not be right for him to make a statement on the subject. The Prime Minister had already promised to make a statement, and that he would then allow a discussion on the subject. Mi'. Donald added . that Sir Joseph Ward’s indisposition had prevented iiis making a statement this week, but it would, probably be made next week. The Minister stated that the reclassification of the whole service had almost been completed, and the result of that step would bo involved in the Prim? Minister’s pronouncement. MR. SULLIVAN DISAPPOINTED. Mr. D. G. Sullivan remarked that Mr. Donald’s statement had not’-been a hostile one but it had been disappointing. The House had been looking to the Minister for a favourable declaration on the subject.' The Hon. T. M.' Wilford said that United Party who would not make the same recommendation to its leaders as was involved in Mr. Holland’s amendment. “The Postmaster-General is neither the Minister of Finance nor Primo Minister and he has no more right to make a statement than I have. It is not fair to bait him on the subject. Had the Prime Minister not been indisposed the statement would already havo been made.” '

Mr. Wilford added that he had no doubt that when the Prime Minister returned to the House he would take the first opportunity to deal with the subject. With respect to the whole Public Service, Mr. Donald stated that, as the whoie Public Service was involved, it was necessary that the statement should come from the Primo Minister. With regard to re-classification, he stated that 141 men at £295 would bo lifted to £335

and others would be advanced from £240 to £260. Over 400 men on these two limits would bo lifted. Mr. R. McKeen said that the Minister appeared to be displaying an attitude of hopelessness and 'helplessness. One would havo thought he would have come to the House, when his estimates were submitted, prepared to answer questions in regard to the policy of his department. Mr. M. J. Savage said it was a remarkable thing that when the* Prime Minister was ill no one else could speak for the Government. Mr. H. E. Holland said the amendment did not constitute a challenge to th? Government. It was a recommendation. Ho suggested that the Minister should allow it to be carried on the voices.

AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN. FULL STATEMENT PROMISED. Wellington, Last Night. When the House of Representatives resumed in committee of supply at 2.30 this afternoon the Hon. T. Al. Wilford stated he had, during the luncheon interval, discussed the morning’s proceedings with the Prime Minister, who had requested him to inform the House that he intended, as soon as possible after - his return, to make a full and complete statement in regard to civil servants affected by the “cut,” and an opportunity to discuss it would be given all members. Mr. Nash said in view of the Prime Minister’s message the House should be satisfied. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, agreed. He said he considered he would be respecting the wishes of the House if he asked leave to withdraw his amendment'. (Hear, hear.) Mr. A. M. Samuel criticised Mr. Holland’s attitude and referred to his amendment as “blank ammunition.” Mr. P. Fraser pointed out thefe was nothing to be gained by proceeding with the amendment. The House would'shortly be able to resume discussion of the subject' with the advantage of knowing what was the Government’s policy in the matter. - Mr. McCombs stated that members of the : Reform Party ever since the year 1922 had consistently voted to resist the efforts of the Labour Party to prevent “cuts” applying to the lower paid officers. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates stated the “cuts” had been essential and had been so accepted by civil servants themselves. The Arbitration Court had also had to face the position. Mr. McCombs: “You forced it to.” Mr. Coates submitted it was not reasonable to talk of forcing the Arbitration Court. Mr. McCombs described the legislation of 1922 as the' most confiscating that Parliament had ever been called upon to consider. The money which was taken from civil servants had been given to the wealthy pastoralists of New Zealand by way of reduction in taxation. Mr. J. T. Hogan said he had spoken in favour of the restoration of the “cut,” but on the Minister’s statement he had thought there was no need to go further with the amendment. He considered the. House should allow it to be • withdrawn in view of the Prime Minister’s message. Mr. Kyle did not agree with this view, whereupon Mr. Holland said he had sought to withdraw his amendment to meet the request of the Prime Minister. It was the only decent thing to do. After the statement of the Government’s policy had been submitted, and if it were not satisfactory, the amendment could be moved again. Mr. J. G. Coates said the Reform Party was agreeable to meet the wishes of the Prime Minister. The amendment was withdrawn. Mr. Wilford intimated that when the Post Office account and the Prisons and Pensions Departments’ estimates had been passed the House would adjourn. In reply to questions from various members, the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, stated that the Bluff-Hobart-Melbourne mail service would not be a charge against the Post Office account altogether. It . might carry a portion of the subsidy but not the whole of it. The vote was then passed. ■ The estimates for the Prisons Department (£92,867) and for the Pensions Department (£165,360) went through without discussion and the House rose at 4.55 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Monday. ■