RESTORATION OF CUTS.

Wairarapa Age, 23 July 1936, Page 5

RESTORATION OF CUTS.

PROVISIONS OF FINANCE BILL. PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL APPOINTMENT OF JOINT COMMISSIONERS. (By Telegraph—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Restoration of the salary and wage scales of practically all sections of workers is provided for in the Finance Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Governor-

General’s Message. All public servants are .to have their rates of pay restored to the scale they were receiving prior to the cut that was made on April 1, 1931. The restoration will apply to all civil servants, whether their salaries are paid out of special appropriations, whether they are on the classified list, or whether they are temporary employees.

Workers outside the Public Service are divided into various classifications. In the first place wages provided for under awards existing in 1931 are to be restored to the level prior to the General Order made by the Arbitration Court in 1931. In cases, where a new award has been made since that date the rate of pay is to remain the same if it is higher than the rate existing in 1931. If it is lower than the 1931 rate it is to be restored to the 1931 level. In cases where the workers have never been subject to an award, wages are to be restored to the 1931 level as far as is practicable.

In the case of both civil servants and outside workers provision is made for dealing with anomalies by Order in Council.

The Bill also provides for increased grants to be made to educational authorities for the payment of salaries and the conduct of institutions under their control on the same basis as was provided for in 1931.

Another clause makes provision for the payment of an additional £200,000 into the Government Superannuation Fund.

A clause in the Bill empowers local authorities to remit the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates, and subsidies payable to borough councils on their rates are .to be restored to the predepression lev?].

Power is given to the State Advances Corporation to make loans to local authorities out of the Housing Account of the corporation. There Is an important provision Bcribing the appointment of two joint Public Service Commissioners, sma there is also gbwer for the GovernorGeneral in CoAcil to appoint a th ini person to act » an arbitrator in my matter on whien there is difference of opinion between the two Public Service Commissioners.

Authority is given for the payment of the Public Service Commissioner’s salary to Mr. A. D. Thomson, who has been acting as Public Service Commissioner since the resignation of Mr. P. Verschaffelt.

Payment for special services is authorised in the case of the ex-Comptroller of Customs, Dr. G. Craig. Maternity benefits under the National Provident Fund Act of 1926 are increased from £4 to £6.

Provision is made for the variation of existing contracts for the execution of works where the cost of carrying out the work has been increased by reason of alterations in the law in reference to the 40-hour week provision and increased wages. ' Expenses incurred by Mr. R. McKeen M.P., and Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., in connection with trips abroad are validated.