WAGE CUTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20173, 27 February 1931, Page 15

WAGE CUTS.

DRAPERY AND RETAIL FIRMS. STATEMENT BY ASSOCIATION. [•THE PBESS Special Serrlce.] WELLINGTON, February" 26. With reference to the wage cuts by .drapery and other retail firms the secretary of the Wellington Retail Drapers', Clothiers', and Boot Retailers' Association states, that whilst it may be true that as an Association Auckland has not taken action in this matter, the most important individual members of the Auckland Association have effected reduction along similar lines sinco December last. The Christchurch proposal referred to does not provide for a reduction of wages to the minimum award rates, said the secretary, but the reduction applies only to those higher paid assistants in receipt of more than the award rateß.

DUNEDIN UNIONS MEET.

(PBBSS ASSOCIATION lELEGBAH.)

DUNEDIN, February 26.

At a representative meeting of the executives of local unions, Messrs Baird, Uobinson, Baxter, Harrison, Hanloy, and Herbert were appointed to attend an open conference of trade unions at Wellington on Marih 10th. A resolution was carried expressing indignation at the proposed 10 per cent, reduction in workers'- wages, and giving to the Arbitration Court power to review awards. The meeting expressed the opinion that this revealed the Government's intention to preserve the Act merely as a repressive measure, and expressed its intention of resisting both proposals by every means in its power.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. (PAtSS ASSOCIATION TZIXOBAM.) WELLINGTON, February 26. With reference to a telegram from Auckland in regard to drapers' wagereduction, the secretary to the Wellington Retail Drapers'. Clothiers' and Boot Retailers' Association states that while it may be true that as an Association Auckland has not taken action in this matter, the most important individual members of the Auckland Association have effected a reduction, along similar lines since December last.The Christchurch proposal referred to does hot provide for reduction of wages to the minimum award rates, but the reduction applies only to those higher paid assistants in receipt of more than award rates. / TARANAKI DECISION. (FftXSS ASSOCIATION «L*OBAM.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, February 26. The drapers and boot retailers of the Taraiiflki province to-day decided to out the wages of staffs 10 per cent. There is no award in Taranaki.

AUCKLAND TOOK LEAD. Referring to the message, published in Tsb Piussf» yesterday, that the 10 per cent, cut in wages to be made by Christchurch drapers, felothiers, and boot retailers would not' apply in Auckland, a prominent business man in Christchurch stated that it should be understood that adjustments of wages and

■salaries* had already been made in Auckland. Most business houses in that City made reductions some taonths ago without waiting for Government Action.; In some cases' the . reductions had been considerably more than 10 per seat»