OVERHEAD COSTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 4 December 1930, Page 11

OVERHEAD COSTS.

REDUCTION DESIRED. (r&ESS ASSOCIATION TBt.BGattf) DUNEDIN, December 3. Speaking at a meeting of dairyman, to-day, to consider the wages of factory employees, Mr J. Christie said that the great cause of the poaition as regarded wages in certain, industries had been brought about by themselves. High wages had been paid by certain employers, and the Arbitration Court had taken them as a standard. The Shearers' Award, however, at the present time was based on the Price or wool, and sheep were being shorn at a lower rate tnan last year. thought the remedy for the existing state of affairs would be to h»va a sliding scale of wages on the prices of products. Ho moved: "That the Arbitration Act be amended in the direction of providing for compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration. The motion was carried. Mr F. Waite, M.P.. said the Arbitration Court was only one of the things which they had to consider. Ail sorts of costs were increasing, interest, Government taxation, and locf bodies taxation. Parliament would not meet till Juno, and they must act right away. All over New Zealand industries were closing down, because they could not carry on. Sawmilung businesses in Otago and Southland were closing down tnis month because thev could not sell their timber. He would move: "That the Government be asked to call together at the earliest moment a national ■ economic conference representative of the primary producers, manufacturers, financial institutions, and employees, to decide on some methods of reducing overhead costs, so that the industries of the country may continue." Mr Robertson seconded the motion, which was carried.