THE PRUNING KNIFE

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 5

THE PRUNING KNIFE

Effect of Civil Service Cuts. SOME CRUMBS OF COMFORT. The recent wage and salary “ cut ” in the Cvil Service is briefly referred to editorially in the May number of the “ Public Service Journal.” “ The pruning knife has been in constant operation in connection with our developmental and social services, with its consequent retrenchment.” says the “ Public Service Journal.” “ This, of course, must be endured, however great the individual hardship and swelling of the ranks of the unemployed, for a member of an efficient Public Service cannot expect to be retained in office if the need for his services has vanished. Not content with this measure of sacrifice, however, the Government, backed by the recommendations of two Commissions, has singled out the Public Service for special taxation in the nature of further reductions.” The article goes on to quote the Act, And continues: “The year 1931, therefore, finds the Public Service, as the result of this legislation, with the great majority of its members on a salary scale basis which is below that of the year 1914, and still with a cost-of-living increase of over 40 pei cent above pre war to face. Possibly there may be some decrease in that percentage by reason of the Government’s interest and rent reduction proposals, but this will not alleviate the position created overmuch. As “ crumbs of comfort ” to the members of the Service, the journal mentions the eleventh-hour abandonment by the Government of the clause in the Bill withholding salary increments; the exemption of allowances (including travelling allowances) which are not in the nature of salary from the reduction; and the provision enabling those who so elect to make superannuation contributions on their higher salaries, though officers who eleft to pay on their lower salaries will not receive a refund of their excess contributions until they retire from the Public Scr-