WAGE REDUCTION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20183, 11 March 1931, Page 8

WAGE REDUCTION.

, • ■ bAMOm ANTAGONISTIC. (SSNISRAL STRiKK THBSIATKNTO. ■ (?Wis« ' . jpkwsqeam.) '■ Wtiumwotf, March 10. i.{; t te-day'i* conference convened by the Xlli4nce of iabour, it Jflras'said that Labow-lJmflfls in-every part of the Dominion Vwp in, favop of $ strike in every 'industry if the Govern* ment's proposals to reduce wages were given effect to. Almost every Trade Union ia > New Zealand waa said tobe ■¥opxeaented.at the conference, whioh "was eslled by the Alliance to discuss the Government's economic measures, especially the proposal to give the Arbitration Court ' authority to review awards. The conference attended by 165 delegates. In all 88,207- workers were directly'represented, The conference had not completed its business at' the end of the day and it was decided .to meet agais to-morrow. The proceedings -.were- not open to the Press. The seeretwy of the Alliance, Mr James Eoberts, made a short official statement. The deleaves present wholeheartedly condemned the Prime Minister's proposal on the ground that in .their opinion it was a direction from, the money-lending interests overseas. The wages of the workers bad already been reduced 20 per eent. to 30 per cent.through the casualness of employment. of the workers pres-. ent," added Mr Soberts, "stated that when the quostion was disqu?ffed' by many Unions 'they were of the unanimons opinion, that if the Government ear. ried' out its threat to reduce wages there should be a general strike in evejy ■ industry. The opinion of the meeting tliat the workers would < 'rebel ajgainpt. any. further lowering . of the 'standard of living. It< was pointed out rtWat the. proposals would not only reduce wages but eauae ..further innipjoyment as.tfi« purchasing p<wer peopla wonld be materially teducod^.