A.S.R.S. VIEWS.

Chronicle (Levin), 13 February 1947, Page 6

A.S.R.S. VIEWS.

—Press Association

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Fob. 12. Appreciation of the Minister of Labour 's statement in regard to wage xncreases, was expressed at the biennial conference in Wellington of the Anialgamated .Society of Eailway Scrvanls of New Zealand. The conference endorsed a report prescnted by a special eoniniittee appointed to deal with the question of stabilisation whieli, it was statcd, liad giyen the conference sonie concern es|.eciallv in re»ard to wage increases granted being olfset by increases in the cost of conimodities. The report stated tliat the eoniniittee considered sonie forni of stabilisation was necessary in the interests of the economic stability of the country and for the protection of the woH'ar'e of workcrs generally. It was of opinion tliat a stabilisation confcrence re]iresenting all scctions of the coiiiiiiunity, should be called. at the earliest possible date and as a basis of discussion suggestcd : ' "That a central planning body be set up by the Government with adequato workcrs ' representatives appointed aftcr consuitation with unious. The runclions of this body would be to piau the production of the country in the national interost. Similar planned production was achicved in time of wai vvitli a nieasure of success and we considei" it even more esscntiai in the jiost war period. " We believe the fixation of prices, costs and wages should be approached from a new angle similar to tliat operating in the dairy industry tliat cost production should be fixed at the cost incurred in an average moderti industrv and allowancc made for a fixod luargin or prolit. Wages sliould tlicn be allocated and a selling pricc arrived ut, and as an incentive to iucreased production we consider that the added value should be shared fairly between employee and employer. The wages of workcrs in non-producing capacities should keep pacc with thosc in other industries. In effcct, if the national income increases, all workcrs should share in that increase with a corr.espoiuling increase to State benehciaries, that is, pensioners, etc. "To ensure full cooperation aud maxinuuu efficieney in industry wc strongly urge that workcrs should liave a share in control and management. "It will be obvious," the report concludes, "that the proposcd plan neccssitates various subsidiary comniittees such as a price tribunal and we feel tliat it is imperative that full workcrs ■ represciitation should be given thcreon aud further that much heavicr penalties should be imposed for breachcs of price orders."