AWARD WAGE RATES IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 190, 8 May 1940, Page 11

AWARD WAGE RATES IN NEW ZEALAND

Farmers Oppose General Increase DISCUSSION BY OTAGO COUNCIL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 7. That a general rise in wage rales in New Zealand was inevitable after the granting of a bonus to Auckland tramwaymen was stated by Mr. James. Begg at a meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union. “In fact,” Mr. Begg said, “it is difficult to argue against everyone else getting what the Auckland tramwaymen have received. The Manufacturers’ Association has agreed to it. though the Employers’ Association has not. AViia t we must remember, however, is that all these extra costs must eventually go right back to the export industries and the farmers will have to pay for them. “Moreover,” Mr. Begg said, “the prospect of getting an increased price for meat from the British Government is very remote. Indeed, I feel sure that, if any of ns had rhe fixing of Hie price of meat to be paid by the British Government, we would not give any .more for meat than the United Kingdom is now paying.” The following resolution was adopted: “That: this executive is concerned at the possible outcome of the request to the Government by the Federation of Labour and t.he Alanufacturers’ Association for an order of the Court making a general increase in all wages covered by' awards, and suggests that all necessary steps be taken to represent .strongly the effect of such a rise on primary production when such matters are discussed.” COST OF LIVING Ministerial Statement Expected Tn AVellington industrial circles it is expected that the announcement to be made shortly by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, on the bearing of the cost of living on award rates iu the Dominion, will deal with whether the Government intends to act under the emergency regulations introduced toward the end of the last session of Parliainen t.

Recently a conference of employers and workers’ representatives in AVellington agreed to approach the Government to ask it to empower the Court of Arbitration to deal with the workers’ application for an order varying award wages in accordance with the increase in the cost of living. Should the Government act under the emergency regulations and empower the Court to act by Order-in-Council, the Court would be enabled to make a fixture for hearing the submissions by the parties before it concludes its AVellington sitting early in June. Such a hearing and the subsequent decision would, doubtless, relieve the Court and the parties to disputes for which fixtures have already been made of the arguments on the wages clauses in these disputes. The Court commenced its Wellington session on April 2 and made fixtures up to June 7, but; the session will probably end about June 14. To date, the Court hits heard 2G cases, which comprise applications for new awards, appeals and interpretations. There are a further .18 cases for which fixtures have been made and 10 for which fixtures have yet to be made. At the conclusion of its AVellington sittings, the Court will leave for the South Island and will in all probability commence its southern sittings at Dunedin.