RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 11

RAETIHI

NO CUT” BY COUNCIL. The Raetihi Borough Council decided on Thursday night that it would not make any cut in the salaries or wages of its staff. It was stated that, two employees came under an award of 1 lie Arbitration Court and their wages hud been reduced 10 per cent. This was in the Electrical Department. The Mayor, Mr W. Harris, moved that a 10 per cent, cut bo made on all salar ies and wages over £lOO per annum. He was sorry to have to du it. Ho recognised that the borough employees were efficient and capable but. the ratepayers had to be considered. Money had to be obtained to carry on and they must reduce the borough expenditure. Cr. W. H. Sandford moved an amendment to the effect that the electrical engineer and his assistant be exempt from the cut. He contended that these men were not adequately paid and deserved an increase. They had to work all hours, wet or dry, night or day. The Electrical Committee had discussed the matter and could not recommend that a reduction be made in the wages of these two men. Cr. A. E. Willoughby. another member of the Electricity Comm it tee. seconded the amendment. Cr. L. S. Fagg, chairman of the Fin ante Committee, supported the cut. It was not fair to a ratepayer who had received a cut that the borough employees should also be reduced. It was hard on a ratepayer who was perhaps getting two or three days’ work a week to Jimi the rates to help to give the employees the same amount as before the depression. The Council had to help the burgesses ami save where ever possible. Cr. J. H. Stanley declared the Council had to balance the budget. Not to subject these employees to the cut was equivalent to giving them a rise for the cost of living had come down. He gave instances of reduced prices in groceries during the last two years. Some commodities had come down 50 per cent. The borough staff could not grumble at a .10 per cent. cut. Sacrifices had to be made by all ratepayers and the Council had to balance the budget somehow. They did not want to have to put on a special rate or increase the general rate, but the money had to be found to carry on. The Mayor agreed that sacrifices had to be made by all at the present time. Cr. Tom Shout opposed any cut. He made it clear that he supported the amendment because it protected two men, but he opposed any other member receiving a cut. Groceries might have been reduced, but that was only one item. He contended re:; had not been reduced. Boots and cloLiinj had not come down. It was the fashion to make a cut in wages but he was against it. The ratepayers were getting high standard of service from the employees. He heard nothing but praise from the public about the work and in fact he thought some were underpaid. He could not see any argument for a cut in wages. ..•? did think they should strive for a reduction in interest. They should make every effort to get interest charges reduced and he intended to move to that effect and had given notice of motion accordingly. The Arbitration Court awards had been over-ridden by legislature and if the wages of the workers could be reduced, why not reduce the interest ? They ha>. to face the position. The men had to do the same work and why give them less money? Cr. A. Willoughby opposed a cut. They had a good reliable staff who had to be ready for work at all times. They had never been over-paid. Cr. L. J. Vile considered that during the present hard times everybody, including the Council, must economise. It was true it was the fashion, but it was a fashion that was forced upon them. The Council had no control over the conditions that impelled this fashion. The staff did not deserve the cut but the duty of the Council to the ratepayers demanded that this hardship be done the staff. Cr. R. Ciochetto thought the sum to be saved by the cut. only £1.12, could easily be lost if the Council had to replace the staff. The Mayor did not agree with the imputation that the staff might not give such good service if they were paid less. He knew they would give of their best. Cr. C. A. C. McDonald pointed out that the cut was only for one year. The whole country had to suffer at the present time. Business men and employees had to receive a cut. On being put the amendment to exempt the electrical engineer and his assistant from the cut was carried by five votes to four. The Mayor said he would not press his motion in view of the opinions expressed by the councillors and the amendment being carried. The work of the clerical staff was at present under review by the Council. They would have to prepare their work to get sufficient income to meet expenditure and economise wherever possible. The same arguments applied to all the staff. LOSS BY FIRE Ou Thursday evening Mr and Mrs J. Dauphin left their residence in Ameku Road to visit a relative. They had not been away very long when a neighbour noticed the house was on fire and gave the alarm. The Fire-Brigade was quickly on the scene hut it was found that the dwelling was too far away from a fire plug to allow of the use of the hose. The firemen at once put, a hole in a water tank and formed a bucket brigade. The furniture of one room in the house was thus saved and the flames confined to the dwelling, a butcher’s shop being saved. 4he house was owned by Mrs Forster and it is said was insured. There was no insurance on the furniture.