CO129-303 - Public Offices & Others - 1900 — Page 206

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receipt of a substantial increase in pay.

This subject is so thoroughly recognised that

we do not feel it necessary to dilate on it at length

except to refer to the numerous correspondence in the

local newspapers and to the remarks of Honourable

Members made in the Legislative Council.

Especially would we call your attention

to the following remarks of the Honourable T.H.

Whitehead, published in the Daily Press on the 9th and

31st ultimo :-

"If the reasons given in support of this

increase to certain Heads and Assistant Heads of

Departments are applicable to them, I maintain that

they are still more applicable to the clerical staff

&c." and "The reasons that apply to the Heads of Departments, such as increased rents and increased cost of living, apply ten times more in regard to the

subordinate officials".

We would also beg to draw your attention

to the report of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon for the past year wherein he states that the prices of food have increased 100 per cent within the last five

years.

In conclusion we would point out and lay

stress on the fact that the causes enumerated above

have contributed to raise the market value of all labour and that the pay we engaged at have now fallen

very