PUBLIC SERVANTS’ SALARIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18948, 6 August 1931, Page 9

PUBLIC SERVANTS’ SALARIES.

Reduced in New South Wales. BIG SAVINGS EFFECTED. United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright SYDNEY, August 5. The Legislative Council, by 28 votes to 20, amended the Public Service Salaries Bill, by removing the clause limiting salaries to a maximum of £SOO per year, and substituting a gradual scale of reductions throughout the service. Mr Boyce, who moved the amendment, estimated the savings under the new scheme at £1,850,000. He said that it was the Public Servants’ own scheme with modifications, that was incorporated in the amendment. Under the amendment the salary of every officer would be reduced as follows: — Fifteen per cent, on those between £IOO and £2OO. Seventeen and a-half per cent between £2OO and £4OO. Twenty per cent, between £4OO and £3OO. Twenty-two and a-half per cent, between £6OO and £BOO. Twenty-five per cent, between £BOO and £IOOO. Twenty-seven and a-half per cent, between £IOOO and £ISOO. Thirty-two. and a-half per cent, on salaries in excess of £ISOO. The "Labour Daily” says that if the Government refuses to accept the drastic amendments to the Salary Bill it is likely that the Loan Council will refuse to advance assistance to New South Wales, on the plea that the economy legislation promised by Mr Lang has not become law. In this event, there will be little or no pay for the Public Service to-mor-row. DISCUSSION IN ASSEMBLY. MR BAVIN OUTSPOKEN. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 5, 9.22 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 5. In the Assembly, Mr Lang moved disagreeing with the Legislative Council’s Amendment to the Public Service Salaries Reduction Bill. The motion was carried on a Party division by 47 to 34. Mr Lang said that it was quite evident that the Legislative Council was assuming unto itself the right to govern this country. The Government had purposely drafted its taxation bills so that the burdens would fall on the shoulders of those best able to bear them. Indeed, the Government was definitely pledged not to attack wages or the lower paid people in the community, but the Legislative Council entirely defeated this object, first, by throwing out the Emergency Taxation Bill, and now by so mutilating the Public Service Salaries Bill that if the Government accepted the amendment, it would be tantamount to admitting that the standard of living in New South Wales was too high. Mr T. R. Bavin (Leader of the Opposition), said that the Premier’s criticism of the Upper House was unworthy. “I hold in my hand a circular issued to-day by the Treasury’, ordering the withholding of public servants’ salaries for the time being. This emphasises the seriousness of the Government's position, which is entirely due to the senseless actions of the Premier. He is pursuing a bombastic course, arising from egotism and stubbornness which has brought the country to its present condition of degradation. My suggestion is that if he cannot govern, he had better make way for a Government that can.” AN EMPTY TREASURY. SOME PAYMENTS WITHHELD. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 5, 7.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 5. With an empty Treasury, Mr Lang found it necessary to-day to instruct the heads of Government departments to withhold salary payments until tomorrow from officers of the Public Service, but the wages of men on the industrial services are to be paid as usual. NO ASSISTANCE FOR N.S.W. OPPOSITION OF TREASURERS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 6, 12.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, August 5. When the Loan Council met to-day, it was learned that the Treasurers are unanimously opposed to recommending any further money for New South Wales at the present juncture. The matter probably will be finalised to-morrow. Delegates furnished reports regarding the measures taken in the various States to give effect to the rehabilitation plan. TO STAND BY DECISION. AMENDMENT TO BILL. United Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 5, 11.52 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 5. The Legislative Council to-night, by 28 votes to 16, decided to insist upon

its amendment to the Public Service Salaries Reduction Bill. The Council is now formulating reasons. POLICE TO BE PAID. PARLIAMENTARIANS NOT AFFECTED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 6, 12.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 5. Although the Public Service salaries will not be paid to-morrow, the police will be paid. Ministers and Parliamentarians are not affected by the empty treasury, as they received their monthly cheques on August 1.