P-NG Wages Claims

[?]A War

[?]H Minister

P-NG Wages Claims For Arbilration

HE morale of the Papua and New Guinea Public Service had er been lower than at present, 1 Mr. R. B. Brennan, in his sidential report to the annual •ting of the Public Service As lation in Port Moresby on April 'he Association lays most of the me for this state of affairs at door of Mr. Hasluck, Minister Territories. )n April 20, Mr. Brennan flew Sydney to consult a leading QC the Association’s case, which expected to come before the titration Court shortly, ast year the Association accepted Hasluck’s offer of conciliation ;n the PSA presented a log of ms for increased cost of living iwances, a five-days’ week, etc. he PSA considers that the Min r rejected every important point de during the Conciliation in ry thus treating both the Com sioner and P-NG public servants h contempt. 7hen Canberra decisiims on the airy were made public early in iruary, ‘ the PSA’s reaction was nediate; it announced that it ild take its salaries case to the titration Court. a his annual report, Mr. Brennan i that the PSA’s relations with Government were now much •se than before Conciliation was epted last year, when things ■e low indeed. It doubted if one :er to-day would willingly accept iciliation while the Minister “held present authority.” he report also revealed that the relation had written to the Prime lister, Mr. Menizes, asking him intervene to see that an Arbi ter mutually acceptable to both Government and the Association > appointed to handle the Asso :ion’s arbitration case, which, it 1, would soon be launched ough the court at Port Moresby, he letter to Mr. Menzies out id the Association’s problems and i said bluntly that it was not isfied that Mr. Hasluck would ike an appointment of an itrator “who would meet the :essary requirements of imparti y.” t quoted to the Prime Minister al advice it had had, which rned that the Territory was in different position so far as an litrator was concerned because se were appointed by the Gov ment and might be tempted to ke a decision favourable to the vernment. [he general meeting passed a

motion supporting the PSA Coun cil in its action over arbitration. It re-elected Mr. Brennan as president.

Claim Before Court

The Papua-New Guinea PSA on May 3 submitted a claim before the Territory Arbitration Court in Port Moresby for in creased salaries, the introduction of a quarterly cost of living adjustment and a five-days week.

Since no Arbitration Court is per manently in the Territory, the claim was lodged with the Registrar of the Supreme Court, who later served copies on the Administrator. Brigadier Cleland, and the Public Service Commissioner, Mr. T.

Huxley.

They have ’2B days In which to reply, but it is likely that this period will be extended because of ihe absence of the Administrator on a tour of New Britain and Bougainville.

These are the main points of the PSA’s claim:— e Annual salary increase for adult males of £193; a 75 per cent, increase of this figure for adult females; a varied scale of increases for juniors; together with increases on living costs since last December (to be paid in addition on top of all salary increases). • Cost of living adjustments to be made to salaries every three months. • An increase in the education allow ance to £2OO. • A Territorial allowance, at the present figure. • A five-days week in Port Moresby, Kabaul and Lae, providing that essential services can be maintained.

All the salary increases are to be retro spective to December 2, 1954.