GUNNERS RESIGN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 8

GUNNERS RESIGN

NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERYMEN RESTORATION OF WAGES A MATTER OF CONCERN [ Per Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, Oct. 26. As a result of what they consider the failure of the Defence Department to reply adequately to insistent requests for the restoration of wages to the 1931 level, the bulk of the 34 gunners stationed at Narrow Neck barracks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery have resigned from the service. The complete personnel sought discharge on September 21, but the men were given until noon to-day to reconsider their decision, and several are reported to have withdrawn from their former stand. Alleged anomalies in salary fixation, inadequacy of the present wages and certain unsatisfactory conditions relating to promotion are stated to form the main reasons for the men’s decision. It is explained that, though wages in all other branches of the Public Service have been restored to the 1931 level, requests for similar consideration for gunners in the Royal New Zealand Artillery have only evoked an answer that the matter is receiving consideration. The present annual salary is stated to be £59 lower than was the case six years ago. Their periods of service with the permanent staff range from two ana a-half to four and a-half years; each of the men receives £175 a year, from which a weekly boarding allowance of 17s 6d is deducted. This is claimed to be insufficient to allow them to live at a reasonable .standard. Ono major grievance lies in the fact that the former marriage allowance has not been reintroduced. About 50 percent. of the gunners at Narrow Neck wish to marry, and their only consolation is said to lie in a public service regulation prescribing that a married man shall receive a minimum salary of £209. “The police force affords a marker, contrast to the conditions which apply in our case,” one man explained. “There a recruit, after putting in six months’ training, commences his duties, we understand, at a salary of £299. On the other hand, a gunner puts in twelve to fourteen months of rigid training and then embarks on work which involves responsible instruction to military units, in addition to other defence duties. For this he receives only £175.” Slight increases in salary are payable at the end cf each five years of service, and the rank of lance-bom-bardier carries £222 a year. However, only three men are reported to have been promoted from the rank of gunner in the past five years at Auckland, and cases are alleged where promotion of non-commissioned officers and warrant officers has not been accompanied by the increased rates of pay that are specified. There is also some complaint at the complete prohibition against the formation of an association for discussing general questions affecting the men's welfare, and it is regarded as a military crime to organise on these lines, nor may meetings of men be held without permission. RESIGNATIONS WITHDRAWN SEVEN MEN STILL ADHERE TO DECISION [ Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. Twenty-seven of the gunners who resigned from the service, at Narrow Neck Barracks, of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, have withdrawn their resignations, said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in an interview to-night. Seven men only who had tendered their resignations still adhered to their decision. Ho was sorry the position had arisen as the whole question of pay and conditions of the men concerned had been under consideration for some time. The intentions of the Government would be disclosed as soon as possible, but it was not going to allow itself to be stampeded.