HOUSE DISCUSSES SALARIES “CUT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18887, 11 October 1929, Page 9

HOUSE DISCUSSES SALARIES “CUT.”

prime minister will make announcement ON P. AND T. SERVICE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 11. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning. Urgency was accorded the business of the day. Replying to Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) the Hon W. A. Veitch said that a statement in a Wellington newspaper that the Transport Bill would not be proceeded with this session was incorrect. The newspaper had no authority to' publish the statement. 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 Mr Coates said that he wished to say something about salaries. He stated that before the last election the Government had been approached in the 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 the “ cut.” Mr Coates added that a deputation had been informed that the re-classifica-tion was due on April 1, 1929. Whether it would have been possible to give effect to that reclassification would have depended on finance. That statement applied to the whole Public Service, though the reply on the particular occasion referred only to the Post and Telegraph service. Mr Coates stated that the position in relation to the 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 that the position could be relieved somewhat by the promotion of officers from this to other departments.

Labour Amendment. Mr Holland (Buller) stated that the 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 it was a matter of finance, but Mr Holland contended that there was no shortage of money in the country, and certainly not in this department. He moved that the vote be reduced by £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 (Thames) drew attention to the salaries of young men on the lower grades and urged that the position should be relieved on the lines suggested by Mr Coates, by reclassification and promotion to other services. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) 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 (Rangitikei) supported this view.

Minister's Reply. The Hon J. B. Donald (PostmasterGeneral) 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 discussion on the subject. Mr Donald added that Sir Joseph Ward’s indisposition had prevented his making a statement this week, but it would probably be made next week.

The Minister stated that re-classifica-tion of the whole service had almost been completed and the result of that step would be involved in the Prime Minister’s pronouncement. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) remarked that Air Donald’s, statement had not been a hostile one, jDut it had been disappointing. The House had been looking to the Minister for a favourable declaration on the subject.

“ Not Fair.” The Hon T. M. Wilford said that there was not one member of the 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 Minister of Finance nor Prime Minister,” said Mr Wilford, “ 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 have 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 ser

Mr Donald stated that as the whole public service was involved it was necessary that the statement should come from the Prime Minister. With .egard to re-classification he stated that 141 men at £295 would be lifted to £335, and others would be advanced from ££4o to £260. Over four hundred men on these two limits would be lifted.

Not a Challenge. Mr R. M’Keen (Wellington South) said that the Minister appeared to be displaying an attitude of hopelessness and helplessness. One would have thought that 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 (Auckland West* said it was a remarkable thing that when the Prime Minister was ill. no one else could speak for the Government.

Mr Holland (Buller) said the amendment did not constitute a challenge to the Government; it was a recommendation. He suggested that the Minister should allow it to be carried on the voices.

The debate was unfinished when the House adjourned at 1 p.m.