PUBLIC SERVANTS REGARD PRESENT AS IMPORTANT PERIOD

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVANTS REGARD PRESENT AS IMPORTANT PERIOD

“It would probably be safe to say I hat no period in the history of thassociation has been so lull ol incident as the year just e nded and the import- ! ance 01 the issues under discussion n. | such that the interest of all member I is essential so that their opinions can I be voiced,” stated the annual repori | adopted at last night’s annual meeting ’ of tne Wanganui Section of New Zealand Public Service Association. The association must speak with the voice ol the majority ol its member, and this can be done only by having active committeemen and an active general membership willing to sacrifice a little of their time and devote some of their energy to association affairs so that the democratic machinery of the association may efficiently. The present membership of the section is 394 compared with 347 al the end of last year, an increase of 47, stated the report. A total of 14 executive meetings was held during the year, the average attendance being I 12 out of a total membership of 23. The secretary represented the section at the annual conference. During the year a Waimarino sub-branch wa. formed at Ohakune at the request of members in the area. “The interest displayed by members in this area, who in some cases travel long distances to attend meetings, is commendable and in extending our best wishes to them we sincerely hope that they and the association will derive benefit irom the activities,” th e report stated. The sub-section at Taihape continues to be active and to fuliill a useful function in the framework of the association. “The section has been identified with the question of the salaries campaign, the tribunal and victinfi.sution and has supported the Executive Committee in its action throughout the year,” the report stated. On October 20 a special protest meeting in connection with tne salaries ana Tribunal issues was held and produced a record attendance for this section. The meeting was addressed by Mr. F. D. Winter, assistant general secretary’ who was listened to with inteest ana resolutions expressing the feelings o. members at the failure of the Government to implement the recomendations of the Margins anj Anomalies Committee and to accede to the association’s request for th e setting up of an independent salaries tribunal were passed. The committee appreciated the action of the executiv in making Mr. Winter’s visit possible. “In November 1948 a deputation from this section waited on Mr. J. B. Cotterill, M.P., when representations were made regarding the failure of the Government to give an effective decision on at last some of the recommendations of the Margins and Anomalies Committee regarding salaries. The interview was without re-; suit although Mr. Cotterill stated ‘ that the Government realised that | some adjustment in Public-Service : salaries was necessary to bring them up to the rates ruling in outside industry. He indicated, however, that any adjustment to be made was a matter for the Government Services Salaries Tribunal to decide. “Although finality has not been reached on any of the major issues progress can be reported in the near future and if the result is not entirely satisfactory to the association it will not be for the want of effort on the part of the Executive Committee.”