COUNCIL SALARY CUTS NOT FINAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 6

COUNCIL SALARY CUTS NOT FINAL.

MOTION FOR RESCINDING YET TO BE DEALT WITH. “In my judgment the rescinding motion is likely to be carried at the next meeting of the Council becatise one councillor was coerced into voting in a certain direction at last night’s meeting and I cannot imagine that that vote will be repeated.” This statement was made to-day by the Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer, in announcing that notice of motion had been given by Councillor 11. T. J. Thacker to rescind the resolution passed last night that salaries and wages be reduced by 10 per cent. He declined to give the name of the councillor whose vote, he alleged, had been changed as a result of coercion. The text of Councillor Thacker’s motion is as follows; “ That the resolution adopted by the council at its meeting on March 30, 1931, to reduce the salaries payable to its staff by 10 per cent, be rescinded.” “ For Electors.” “ My reason for putting in this notice of motion,” said Councillor Thacker this morning, “ is that I consider that it is a matter for the electors to decide. The election is so near that that would not cause any great delay, and moreover I contend that the present council has no mandate from the citizens as to what it should do. It is entirely a question for the citizens and I intend to make it one of the vital planks in the coming contest.” Councillor Thacker and the Mayor both expressed the definite opinion that the notice of motion would hold up the salary reductions until it wajs disposed of, but a group of Citizens’ Association councillors to whom the matter was referred said that it would not have that result. They contended that the reductions would take effect at once, and if the notice of motion were carried the pay that was deducted could be made up. It was ascertained that the > great majority of those affected by the salary and wages cut are paid monthly, but there are a few cases in which weekly payments are made by special arrangements.