CITY COUNCIL WAGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL WAGES

* RESTORATION MOTION LOST

Deferred Until the Estimates Are Tabled. UNCERTAINTY ABOUT LEGISLATION. EFFECT Or 40-HOL’R WEEK An effort to restore five per - ent. in wages ami salaries to employees of the Wanganui City Council was made a! the council table last sponsorc! by the Alayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers;. It was decided, however, in view of tac fact that the council is not definite -h: ujst what obligations pending legislation will involve, to defer the mutter until such time as the estimates arc under discussion, which wili be as soon as the town clerk’s staff can 'i.ave the figures available. It is hoped ih.it time that the Government's intentions will be clearly defined. Afoving that the restorati-oi be a.adv, the Alayor said that the motion did not require a lengthy spee h from him, Other local bodies were stepping into line and ho felt that all (oumillojs would be in agreement with the justice of the proposal. Cr. J. J. Scott suit! that the matter had been deferred until the enJ of the financial year, which had come and • passed. Governments and local bodies I were looked upon as model employers and should be prepared to give a lead. It would be a fine gesture, coming from the council voluntarily, and because ?f goodwill—restoration of a very severe cut which the men had borne unflinchingly and uncomplainingly for a [long time. | Cr. F. C. Atkinson: Does the motion apply to the whole staff.’ The Alayor: If the coum il decides. Cr. Atkinson: Then can the town clerk give us what extra outlay will be involved .’ Cr. J. SiddcHs said that he was on*' who said he would follow the lead the Government in this matter, and he was still prepared to do that. He felt that the Government lead, when if came, would be that restoration would be made to all members of the stall the men getting £2"o and those who got £lOOO. ” I was one who s ipporl.ed the mo lion that this matter be defen-ed iintil the end of the financial year.” said Cr. G. H. Troll, ‘‘and it was quite my intention then to support it; but certain matters have come to pass which may make the position of the council more difficult than it has ever been. Certain legislation is pending and it may . me in that the wages bill oi the council has to be increased by £3OOO to xloOo. and, in addition to that, we will requite £2200 to make the restoration proposed. I cannot see how the council can muse up its mind on this matter until >t knows what the Government's intentions are with regard to the 40-hour week and to certain standard rates ol pay.” Cr. Trott moved, as an amendment, that the matter be deferred until the estimates are under consideration. Cr. G. .1. Jones seconded the amendment. Cr. Atkinson: The 10-hoiii week is coming for certain. The Mayor: True. Cr. Atkinson: Although .1 sympathise with the men and want to see them gel all they can, .1 do think the 40-ho.ur week is going to impose an extra liability on this council, and we are mil conversant yet with just, what the otiligation will mean. .’ am told that in the tramways it will 'l'can cmplo; :i’g seven to eight more hands. “1 was only trying lo save Illi:council’s face,’’ said Cr. beott, 1 would much rather be a member of a body that did what was right than one which waited to be forced into doing it by Parliament.” lie proceeded tcriticise a past council for ‘‘sparing mi effort to unfairly treat its employees. The Mayor: i’leaso confine your remarks to the present council, Cr. S™l. It docs not help our ~ause to criticise past councils. Cr. Scott: I accept that, Your W > • ship. XVhat I mean is that we an seeking to restore ari infliction which was imposed by somebody else. Il» added that not only did the men suf fer a cut in actual wages, but a reduction in hours made that cut. hcaviei than was ever intended. Replying to the debate, the Mayoi stressed t.:e last observance made b) (Jr. Scott, that, in some cases, through reductions in hours, the cuts had beer. 20 and 30 per cent, instead of 1". A division was taken on the issui and resulted in the amendment to defei the matter until the estimates arc under consideration being earned. For the amendment: <’rs. Siddcils Sperring. Trott. Atkinson. Bennett Jones ami t’rowley. Those against: The Mayor. Crs. Co’.ter ill, Scott and Hale.-.