CITY EMPLOYEES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 360, 3 September 1930, Page 8

CITY EMPLOYEES

RETRENCHMENT QUESTION

CONSIDERATION TO RETURNED SOLDIERS

Whether returned soldiers should receive consideration when retrenchment was in the air was debated at length by the Wanganui City Council fast night as the result of a motion moved by Cr. J. J. Scott. The Council ultimately decided, by six votes to five to affirm the principle provided other things were equal in each case dealt with. Ct- Scott moved: “That it be an instruction to the Council that, in future, when retrenchment is contemplated, full consideration bo given to keeping returned soldiers in employ rnent.”

Cr. G. Spriggens seconded. “I would like Cr. Scott to explain himself,” Cr. Halligan said. “I want to know where this thing is going to lead to. It looks to mo that it will cause trouble. You may have a return ed soldier a single man and another man married with a big family. Does it 1 mean that we must sack a man with a long record and keep a returned solder on?” “Efficiency the Watchword” “Efficiency is the cry,” said Cr. Scott. “I notice that we are stickers for it in this Council every time retrenchment comes along. Whether we are getting it or not is another matter, but on paper we are stickers for efficiency.” He held that one of the first men to be retrenched was a re turned soldier with 12 years’ service. Tho three last men to be retrenched were all returned soldiers. Cr- H. K. Christie contended that it would make matters easier for the engineer if the words “all things being equal were added.” He moved an amendment on those lines as Cr. Scott would not accept them in his motion.

Cr. Darbyshire: 1 take it that returned soldiers are getting every consideration now.

“The thing is throwing the onus on the engineer” said Cr Halligan. “I feel certain that if this is carried the Council will go back and move that tho thing be broken again. We don’t know what it. is going to hit. It might hit some of our oldest mon in the service-” Cr- Scott reverted to his contention that efficiency was the watchword of the day. “Tho far-seeing people in the tramways, seeing Ihe evil day com’ ;, should make preparation for it,” he said. “I know that in the eyes of the engineer efficiency counts, but. I think a council like this should allow a little human sentiment to creep into its business. .When times were good and men could earn £2 a day, there were men who stuck by tho tramway department and did not get these high wages. Yet those men who stuck by us arc being retrenched to-day.” Cr. Halligan held that, tramway employees had always been employed under as good conditions as nnr em plovee. They were on goo;! conditions to-day. Mr Deem gave, his assurance that the fact that a man was a returned soldier was taken into consideration now. The motion simply put into writing what he had already been doing, Cr. Darbyshire: Then there is no need for it. The-Mayor: Oh yes. there is. A very definite need for it. Cr. Darbyshire: The inference is that the engineer has not been giving the returned men consideration in the works, tramways, or any other department. The Mayor: That inference may be drawn, certainly. Cr. Darbyshire; Then give us specific cases and let us fight this thing out on them. The Mayor: Cr. Scott has made himself quite clear. Cr. Scott: I have made myself clear. In the first of men put off was a returned soldier with.more than eleven years’ service. 1 don’t know if any inference is going to be drawn, but 1 certainly fear that being a returned soldier is going to be a disability to a man. It the City Council was elected on efficiency, there would be many empty benches, Cr. Darbyshire: In the event of possible retrenchment in the works and services department are we to take into account the returned soldiers tirst, then theratepayers and any other men having claims for consideration? If we keep on like that how wilt we finish upf

The Mayor: It is time we laid down a basis. He held that a case might, crop up with two employees—one with six years’ service and one with three. If the one with three had the ear of the loreman, was the "white-haired" boy, he would be kept on in the case of any recommendation from tho foreman as to who should go off. Length of service, or any other qualification, might not count That was all the more argument in favour of an appea.; board Cr. Adams: I would Cr. Scott why he objects to the words "all things being equal?" Cr. Scott: That would be giving a wider scope. It is very rarely that all things are equal. Cr, Adams: Supposing we had two servants, one a returned soldier who was 75 per cent, efficient, and another, who was not a returned soldier, who was 100 per cent, efficient which one would Cr. Scott keep on? Cr. Scott: Put it this way, Cr. Adams —lf a returned soldier is 75 per cent, efficient and he has lost 15 per cent, of his efficiency through serving his country, I say keep him on, and 1 hope :he Council will approve of that principle.

Cr. Adams; But I am giving Cr. Scott 25 per cent, and he is only taking 15. Cr. Scott: There is only 10 per cent, difference, and what is that between friends?

Cr. Christie's amendment, including the words "all things being equal," was carried, Crs. Scott, Robertson, Spriggens, Talboys and the Mayor opposing it.