A LABOUR CIRCULAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19445, 3 November 1925, Page 7

A LABOUR CIRCULAR

CONCERNING P. AND T. “CUT” NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH FACTS THE PREMIER REPLIES. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The following statement has been issued by the Prime Minister: — My attention has been drawn to a circular issued by the Labour Party' in which it is stated that in my capacity as Postmaster-General I could not recommend any adjustment of salary paid to the officers of the rank and file : throughout the public service, but that I I have recently restored the wages I “cut” to the administrative heads of ’ the Departments. It is true that sev- [ oral heads of departments were, granted .increases in salaries. These payments ! have no relation whatever to the I “cuts,” but were made in consequence |of a revalution of positions in respect | of the responsibility and importance of j the duties performed. Administrative 'officers did not participate in the general re-grading which took place last year. The total amount of increases granted to the administrative heads is only £2OOO. So far as the rank and file are concerned, they were not overlooked by the Government. The officers were regraded last year and the increases due to re-grading and scale increments, totalling £381,000, were granted by the Government Public Service Commissioner.

The chairman of the Railways Board and the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department advise me they are of opinion that the rates of salaries paid to the rank and file officers are reasonable and compare more than favourably with the rates of remuneration paid to similar grades of employees in outside avocations.