LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

Chronicle (Levin), 13 February 1947, Page 6

LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

-Press Association

By Telegrapn-

WELLINGTON, Feh 12. The opinion tliat any rise in wages would be sliortlivcd in benelit to the workers, was expressed by the president' of the Associated Cliambers of Ooniinerce, Mr. W. H. Hindle, today. He said the only way to give permanent benelit would be to retain wages at the present level and reduce taxation. ' ' The autliority granted the Federation of Labour to apply to the Court of Arbitration for a geueral increase in wages, indieates that the Governnient is taking the line of least resistance," said ilr. Hindle. "If a rise is granted, as undoubtedly it will be, the benelit will be shortlived because costs of iiving will very cjuickly catcli up and absorb the wages increase. "A suggestion has been made that to ensure that the benelit lasts, prices must be i>egged. This is ridiculous because even if that were done, more and larger subsidies would liave to^ be paid on account of liigher costs. The Government can pay subsidies only with money takou froui the people by taxation and thus workcrs would lind theniselves in no better position, whichever niethod was adopted." Mr. Hindle added that the Goyern- j ijicnt should overhaul all its activitics and cut out the dead wood. There were thousands of people engaged controlliug this and that. Tliey should be diverted i ii to sonie productive work of real value to the country. "If that were done and taxation suDstanlially reduced while the present level of wages was -niaintained, it would be of real benelit to all scctions of the conimunity. We are living in a dreaniland if we tliink it can be done in any other way."