NO INCREASE MADE VET

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1934, Page 4

NO INCREASE MADE VET

public service salaries LEGISLATION STILL NECESSARY. METHOD OF MAKING INCREASES. TO BE BASED ON LOWERED WAGES. The increase of 5 per cent, mentioned in the Budget was not added to the salary cheques received by civil servants at New Plymouth last week, although there had been a suggestion that the retrospective payments to April 1 might be included. As a matter of fact, no official advice of the increase has yet been received by New Plymouth heads of departments. It is understood that before the Treasury can implement the announced increase legislation is necessary, and this will probably be provided for in the next Finance Bill to be brought down. The formalities necessary at Wellington before the increment can be made operative over the service will no doubt entail a considerable amount of detail work. It is probable the increases will be made this month.

It has been pointed out that the increase of 5 per cent, will not mean the restoration of half the last 10 per cent, cut, because the assessment will be made on present salaries, and not on original salaries. Thus a salary of £4OO was reduced to £360 when 10 per cent., of £4O, was subtracted. The 5 per cent, restoration will be based on £360, and not £4OO, so that the increment will not be £2O, but £lB.